Can frenectomy cause scarring? my 5-year-old daughter needs a labial frenectomy, but i am worried that it will cause scarring in the gap between her teeth. should we wait until shes older and gets braces?

The : The answer may depend on how high between the teeth the labial frenum is, and how thick it is. A thick labial frenum can have muscle fibers in them. If this type of frenum runs up high between the upper front two teeth, then this muscle can indeed cause an orthodontic problem, and there is an argument for early removal. However, you are correct that removal can sometimes cause scarring. This scarring can then cause difficulty in keeping the two front teeth together once orthodontic treatment is completed. This scarring is usually not, however, a cosmetic concern. I would recommend that you have your child seen by the dentist you anticipate providing the orthodontic treatment. This is the dentist that would be best able to evaluate the condition and decide if the procedure done now would make his/her job easier down the road. And if the orthodontist's job is easier, then your child is better off!

Wait: 5 years of age is too early for the type of orthodontic intervention you may be contemplating. Scarring does occur occasionally, and for that reason in my own practice i almost never have a frenectomy done until the space is closed. Then if scarring takes place it will not prevent closure of the gap.

No and wait: A properly accomplished and conservative frenectomy will preserve the dental papillary gingival tissues without damage. Prophylactic removal of the frenum at 5 typically does not result in spontaneous closure of the space. I recommend waiting until the space is to be closed to have the procedure. Then close it and hold it as the tissue is healing.

No scarring: This is a very minor surgical procedure . It is accomplished in just a few minutes and heals by 1 wk usually. It can be done at any time or age. The one benefit of doing it now is that the central incisors will erupt without the variable of the muscle pull giving the orthodontist a true starting position. The disadvantage may be psychological on some 5 yr olds.

Please wait: I instruct my students to wait until the permanent teeth are ideally positioned before doing surgery. Often as permanent teeth erupt they leave the frenum behind, eliminating the need for surgery. Sometimes the frenum requires surgery, but if done at wrong time can be a hinderance to properly positioning teeth, or can pop them apart again after they have been straightened. Ck w an orthodontist.