The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Frenectomy
THE DIVISION OF A FRENULUM (BAND OF TISSUE) IN THE MOUTH
A frenectomy is a simple procedure to release a band of tissue in a child's mouth, sometimes called a tongue-tie
Why would my child need a frenectomy procedure?
Frenulums in the mouth are thin bands of tissue, usually at the underside of the tongue, which can sometimes make it difficult for your child to nurse, eat or speak properly. A quick procedure can release or remove this tissue.
Need to know
If your child needs a frenectomy, your surgeon will make sure they are as comfortable as possible during the procedure. Depending on your child's age, your paediatric surgeon will use either general or local anaesthetic. Sometimes no anaesthetic at all is needed. The procedure itself is very quick and almost painless. Your paediatric surgeon will use either surgical scissors or a laser to snip the tissue.
Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you might have. They'll let you know if any special preparation is needed for your child depending on their age. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
The healing process is generally fast. Occasionally older children may need stitches, but usually the area will heal on its own within a few days.
Your child should be able to nurse or eat soon after the procedure. Your consultant will tell you if you need to make any changes to your child's normal routine while their mouth heals.
The Cost Of a Private Frenectomy Procedure
Hospital stay and procedure
Prices from
£1,275
subject to the specifics of your treatment as recommended by your consultant.
Indicative consultant fee from
£305
Our Frenectomy locations
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.