Miami Frenectomy Surgery
A restricted tongue or lip,
released with precision
A frenectomy releases a tight or restrictive band of tissue, called a frenulum, that anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth or the lip to the gum. Dr. Nassery performs the release surgically, freeing the tissue with a blade for a clean, controlled result. At Real Smile Dentistry, a Miami frenectomy helps older children and teens working through speech or eating challenges and adults dealing with tension, gaps between the front teeth, or breathing concerns linked to a tethered frenulum. We treat both tongue ties and lip ties, most often in patients age ten and older.
Because a tight frenulum rarely acts alone, we look at how the tongue rests, how you swallow, and how you breathe before recommending anything. That whole-body view is the same physiologic approach behind our airway health work, and it shapes how we plan a release.
What does a
tongue or lip tie look like?
The signs change with age, which is part of why ties go unnoticed for so long. Parents often sense something is wrong long before anyone names it.
- In older children and teens: Speech sounds that stay unclear, picky eating or gagging on textured food, a gap between the two front teeth, or mouth breathing and restless sleep.
- In adults: Neck and jaw tension, trouble fully cleaning the back teeth, gum recession behind the lower front teeth, or a tongue that cannot reach the roof of the mouth.
A frenulum can be tight without causing every symptom on this list. Our evaluation checks function, not just appearance, so a release is only recommended when it will actually help.
How a release can help
The benefit depends on who we are treating, which is why we start with your goals rather than a set script. For an older child or teen, better tongue mobility supports clearer speech and more comfortable eating. For an adult, a release can ease tension and improve how the tongue functions during rest and swallowing.
Freeing the tissue is only half of the result. The tongue has to relearn how to move, and that is where myofunctional therapy comes in. We pair nearly every frenectomy with these guided exercises because the muscle needs retraining to hold its new range of motion. Releasing the tissue without the follow-through tends to disappoint, so we plan the two together from the start.
FAQs
How much does a frenectomy cost?
Cost depends on the type of tie, the patient’s age, and whether myofunctional therapy is part of the plan, so we give you a clear estimate after the evaluation rather than a guess beforehand. We accept most PPO dental insurance and major cards, and we offer financing through CareCredit and HelloBasis so treatment can fit your budget. Our team is happy to review the numbers with you before anything is scheduled.
What ages do you treat?
Our frenectomy patients are typically ten and older, and occasionally seven or eight. If your child is younger than that, we will refer you to a trusted local pediatric dentist who treats ties in little ones. The reason for treatment shifts with age, from speech and eating in children and teens to comfort and function in adults, and our approach adjusts to match.
Does a frenectomy hurt?
The procedure is quick, and we numb the area completely before Dr. Nassery begins. Any soreness afterward is usually mild and short-lived, and the stretches we teach you are gentle. We walk every family through what to expect so there are no surprises on the day.
How long does healing take?
What to expect from your visit
Your first appointment is an evaluation. We look at the frenulum, watch how the tongue and lips move, and talk through what you or your child are experiencing. If a frenectomy is the right call, here is how the treatment typically goes.
- The release: Using a surgical blade, Dr. Nassery frees the restrictive tissue in a few minutes. The area is numbed first, and the release itself is brief and precise.
- Comfort during treatment: The procedure is quick and focused, and we numb the area fully so children, teens, and adults stay comfortable throughout.
- Aftercare: We show you the stretches and myofunctional exercises that keep the area from reattaching and help the muscle settle into its new movement.
- Follow-up: We check healing and progress, and we adjust the therapy plan as the tongue gains mobility.
Why choose Real Smile Dentistry
for a frenectomy?
Surgical precision
Therapy built in
Care for the whole family
Ties often run in families, and our family dentistry team cares for older children, teens, and adults alike.
A whole-body view
New to the practice? Learn what to expect as a new patient, or contact us to book a consultation.
Stories Worth Sharing
Transform your smile and your life
We have helped thousands of patients improve their well-being. Make an appointment today!
Our South Florida dental offices
Miami Beach
757 Arthur Godfrey Road
Miami Beach, FL 33140
Monday-Friday
8:30am-5:30pm
Click to call:
North Miami
1811 NE 123rd Street
North Miami, FL 33181
Monday-Friday
8:30am-5:30pm
Click to call:
Hollywood
4000 Sheridan St, Ste D
Hollywood, FL 33021
Wednesday: 8:30am-12:30pm
Click to call:
International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)
International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics (ICCMO)