Frenectomy Prices 2026
View the TDB 2026 reference fee for a tongue-tie or lip-tie procedure (frenectomy).
TDB 2026 Reference Fee
7.000,00 ₺
VAT excluded
Surprised?
This figure reflects the TDB 2026 minimum guideline tariff. For a personalised quote, please get in touch.
The reference fee is based on the TDB 2026 Guideline Tariff (6-18 Frenectomy / Frenotomy). The price shown is exclusive of VAT. Tongue-tie/lip-tie treatment in infants and children is assessed by a paediatric dentist or periodontist.
Frenectomy prices are among the topics researched by patients whose lip frenum or tongue frenum has been found to be short or thick. A frenectomy is the surgical or laser cutting or reshaping of the frenum — the tissue that attaches the lip to the gum or the tongue to the floor of the mouth. A short or excessively thick frenum can cause unclosed spacing between the front teeth (a diastema), gum recession, breastfeeding difficulty in infants, speech problems, and relapse after orthodontic treatment.
A frenectomy is performed at two main sites: the upper lip frenum (labial frenectomy) and the lingual frenum (lingual frenectomy). When the upper lip frenum is excessively thick, it creates an unclosed gap between the two upper central incisors (a diastema). Even if this is closed with clear aligners or braces, the gap tends to reopen unless the frenum is released. A short tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) can cause feeding difficulty in infants, speech difficulty in children, and limited oral function in adults.
Modern frenectomy is increasingly performed with lasers (diode laser, Er:YAG) rather than conventional scalpel surgery. Laser frenectomy is suture-free, virtually bloodless, faster to heal, and less painful. The laser approach is particularly advantageous in paediatric patients.
At our clinic Doredent in Avcılar, Istanbul, frenectomies are performed by our clinical team. In paediatric cases, assessment and treatment planning are carried out together with our paediatric dentist Dr. Dt. Ceyda Pınar Tanrıverdi. The most appropriate surgical approach is determined in each case based on the location of the frenum, its thickness, and the functional or aesthetic issue it’s causing.
What Is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy is the surgical cutting, lengthening, or full removal of the frenum tissue in the mouth. The frenum is a thin, fibrous band that attaches the lip to the gum or the tongue to the floor of the mouth. When it’s of normal size and location, it doesn’t cause problems; however, when it’s excessively thick, short, or attached too low, it leads to functional and aesthetic issues.
A frenectomy is a very common and safe minor surgical procedure in dentistry. It is completed in 15–30 minutes under local anaesthesia. With the laser approach, sutures are usually not needed and there is virtually no bleeding. Healing takes 5–10 days.
Types of Frenectomy
Labial Frenectomy (Lip-Tie)
Upper LipReleasing the frenum that attaches the upper lip to the upper gum. Performed to close a diastema between the front teeth, improve gum aesthetics, and prevent relapse after orthodontic treatment.
Lingual Frenectomy (Tongue-Tie)
Under the TongueReleasing the frenum that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Performed for breastfeeding difficulty in infants (tongue-tie), speech problems in children, and limited tongue mobility in adults.
Laser Frenectomy
Modern MethodCutting the frenum with a diode laser or Er:YAG laser. No bleeding, no sutures, rapid healing. The preferred method in children and infants in particular.
Conventional (Scalpel) Frenectomy
Classical SurgeryCutting the frenum with a scalpel and closing with sutures. The classical and reliable method. May be preferred in cases of a thick, wide frenum.
The Frenectomy Process
A frenectomy is a short, low-invasive, and safe procedure. The steps are as follows:
Clinical Examination
The location of the frenum, its thickness, its attachment point, and the functional or aesthetic issue it’s causing are all assessed. Patient complaints and history are reviewed; photographs are taken if needed.
Confirming Indication
The cause of the problem — diastema, gum recession, speech difficulty, feeding difficulty, or orthodontic indication — is confirmed. The patient is verified to genuinely benefit from a frenectomy.
Local Anaesthesia
A topical gel is applied, followed by local anaesthesia. For infant laser frenectomies, topical anaesthesia alone can be enough; patient comfort is the priority.
Releasing the Frenum
The frenum is cut or lengthened with the chosen method (laser or scalpel). The procedure is completed in 10–20 minutes. With the laser method, bleeding is virtually nil.
Sutures (If Needed)
Sutures are usually not needed in a laser frenectomy. In the conventional approach, 2–3 dissolvable sutures are placed and fall out on their own within 7–10 days.
Healing and Exercises
Healing takes 5–10 days. In lingual frenectomies, tongue exercises are prescribed to prevent reattachment. Soft food is recommended; hot, spicy, and hard foods are restricted.
Factors Affecting Frenectomy Prices
Frenectomy cost varies with the site, method, and patient age:
Frenectomy Site
Labial (lip-tie) and lingual (tongue-tie) frenectomies can have different surgical complexity and cost. A lingual frenectomy usually requires more comprehensive planning; follow-up visits are important because of the risk of reattachment.
Method
There can be a cost difference between a laser frenectomy and a conventional scalpel frenectomy. The laser approach offers comfort and rapid healing; it is a major preference in paediatric patients.
Patient Age
Infant, child, and adult frenectomies require different approaches. Coordination with a paediatric dentist in child cases requires additional planning; infant frenectomies require specialised experience and technique.
Thickness and Attachment of the Frenum
A thin, narrow frenum can be released with a simple cut, while a thick, wide frenum can require more extensive surgery. Proximity of the attachment to the gum and a fibrotic structure affect operating time.
Additional Treatments
Adjunct treatments such as clear aligners or braces to close the diastema after frenectomy, or a graft for gum recession, are priced separately. In a multidisciplinary approach, the total cost increases.
Anaesthesia Method
Local anaesthesia is standard. Sedation may be needed in very young children, which increases cost. Topical anaesthesia can be enough for infant frenectomies.
Laser vs. Conventional Frenectomy
| Feature | Laser Frenectomy | Conventional (Scalpel) |
|---|---|---|
| Bleeding | Virtually none | Mild to moderate |
| Sutures | Usually none | 2–3 sutures |
| Healing | Rapid (3–5 days) | Standard (7–10 days) |
| Pain | Minimal | Mild to moderate |
| Tolerance in Children | Very good | Good |
| Thick Frenum | Suitable | More advantageous |
Frequently Asked Questions
Because it’s performed under local anaesthesia, no pain is felt during the procedure. With a laser frenectomy, pain during healing is almost non-existent. With the conventional method, mild discomfort can occur for 1–2 days and is controlled with prescribed pain relief.
In infants with feeding difficulty, a tongue-tie should be released as early as possible. A laser frenectomy can be performed safely even in the neonatal period. Early intervention directly improves breastfeeding success; a delayed procedure can affect the infant’s weight gain and the mother’s breastfeeding journey.
Yes. A short tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) makes sounds such as “r,” “l,” “t,” and “d” harder to produce. In children, performing a frenectomy during speech development, together with speech therapy, produces the best results. Early intervention is critical for speech development.
If a thick upper lip frenum isn’t released and the diastema is closed with orthodontic treatment, the risk of the gap reopening is very high. A frenectomy eliminates this relapse risk. Correct timing and sequencing are decisive for treatment success.
Once the anaesthesia wears off (1–2 hours), soft, lukewarm foods can be eaten. For the first 3 days, spicy, acidic, and hard foods should be avoided. Hot drinks can also irritate the healing area and are restricted.
Yes. Performed with the right technique, a frenectomy produces a permanent result. In lingual frenectomies, performing the prescribed post-operative exercises regularly is very important to prevent reattachment (relapse). If exercises are neglected, scar tissue can recreate the original attachment.
The frenectomy is usually performed after the diastema has been largely closed with orthodontics. This way, scar tissue formed during healing prevents the gap from reopening. The right timing is set by the clinician; in some cases it can also be performed before orthodontic treatment.
Sutures are usually not needed with a laser frenectomy. With the conventional approach, 2–3 dissolvable sutures are placed and fall out on their own within 7–10 days. The suture-free laser method offers a major comfort advantage, particularly in paediatric patients.
Yes. A gingivectomy and a frenectomy can be combined in the same session as part of gum contouring. This approach is preferred in comprehensive smile designs and delivers both functional and aesthetic benefit in a single session.
SGK provides partial cover for frenectomies performed for medical indications such as feeding difficulty in infants and speech problems in children, when delivered in contracted state hospitals and oral and dental health centres. Aesthetic frenectomies performed in private clinics are outside SGK coverage.
