dentist, braces, surgery question?

Question

ok... i had a really nasty gap in my front two teeth but i got braces and it closed it up.. and the orthodontist said i should get some surgery where they cut nerves or something between the 2 teeth so the gap wont open again.. i think its called a frennectomy or something? it starts with "fren..."

but ANYWAY... if u know what im talking about, i was wondering, how do they "cut the nerves"?

do they do it with novicane or do they put u out for it?

is it an out-patient thing or do u stay for a couple days?

one more thing lol... does it hurt after its done or not?

thankss

Answer 1

HELLO HOLLY,
THIS PROCEDURE IS CALLED A LABIAL UPPER FRENECTOMY. THE SMALL PIECE OF GUM BETWEEN YOUR TWO UPPER FRONT TEETH IS NUMBED WITH ANESTHETIC AND CUT AWAY.
THIS PROCEDURE TAKES ABOUT 15 MINUTES, AND HEALS WELL W/O DIFFICULTIES.
AFTER IT ALL HEALS IT WILL FEEL AS IT NEVER HAPPENED.

Answer 2

Hi! This is totally painless, you won't even know they do it and it means cutting the little piece of skin that folds between your front teeth. MOST dentists do this when kids have braces. And you won't even feel it. THERE is no major nerve involvement and this is a totally useless tissue that you don't even need. It takes about 30 seconds or less to cut and you won't have any clue once they stop the bleeding. So don't make a mountain out of this. 90% of the time when we do this the patient has no clue. Sometimes we don't even tell them, so that should say it all. M