Question
My baby is 15 months old and has only grown four upper teeth and two lower teeth. I went to the children’s hospital yesterday, and the doctor said that the baby’s upper labial frenulum is too low and needs surgery. I want to know if a low labial frenulum affects a baby’s tooth development and speech. What is the normal position? Should a baby of 15 months old undergo surgery immediately?
Answer
The labial frenulum is attached to the top of the alveolar ridge, with fibrous tissue extending to the gum papilla on the lateral side of the jaw. As primary teeth emerge, the attachment position of the labial frenulum gradually moves down, usually about 4 to 5 millimeters away from the gum margin after the replacement of primary incisors with permanent incisors. This child is only five months old and does not require any treatment; simply observe the changes in the frenulum. Generally speaking, it can wait until permanent teeth emerge to proceed with diagnosis and treatment. For gaps between central incisors caused by a low labial frenulum, the frenulum can be surgically repositioned to allow the gap to gradually close. If the gap is caused by supernumerary teeth, it should be removed according to specific circumstances before corrective treatment is performed. The above suggestions are for the question “When should surgery be performed for a low labial frenulum?” I hope this helps you, and wish you health!