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Procedure Photo Outline: Frenectomies
Question:
Pediatric Frenectomy causes scarring? My daughter is in need of a labial frenectomy.
She has quite a large gap between her front two teeth. Although I think it's adorable, she is starting kindergarten this year and I do not want the other kids to give her a hard time.
Years ago, our doctor had suggested waiting until she's 5 years old to get this done.
We just went to a pediatric dentist and she was of this opinion:
Getting the frenectomy done now may cause scarring tissue to form. If my daughter were to ever need braces, this tissue may prevent the braces from straightening these fron two teeth.
The pediatric dentist suggests getting the operation done at the same time as the braces, if needed. That will leave her with this gap until then. I am confused. ...Visitor from TX
Answer:
I assure you the frenectomy will not cause any scarring that would prevent straightening the front teeth. The frenectomy can be done at anytime, however the frenectomy will not close the space alone.
Some space between the central incisor is normal and will usually close completely when the upper eye teeth erupt into the mouth at around 11-12 years of age.
My rule of thumb for closing the space is... if the space is over 4-5 mm and will prevent the upper lateral incisor to erupt normally into the mouth you may consider closing this space with orthodontics.
This can easily be accomplished in about 3-4 month of treatment and then retained with a bonded
retainer on the back of the upper teeth.
My recommendation is let your pediatric dentist do the frenectomy now. If the space is not too wide and / or is not causing any self esteem issues with your child ... save your money and close the space once all the permanent teeth have erupted into the mouth and limit your child to one phase of treatment.
James J. Awbrey, D.M.D.
4895 Windward Parkway, Suite 200
Alpharetta, Georgia GA 30004
(770) 751-1688
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