Functional Releases in Airway Dentistry, Part 1: What Is a Frenectomy and Why It Matters More Than You Think
A Vivos Integrated Provider Series presented by The Vivos Institute
As a Vivos Integrated Provider, you already understand that oral structures influence breathing, sleep, and systemic health. Yet one of the most overlooked anatomical limitations in airway-centered dentistry remains the humble frenum.
A frenectomy may seem like a minor procedure—but functionally, it can transform oral posture, tongue mobility, and airway stability across all ages.
The Functional Release Blog Series
This five-part educational series from The Vivos Institute is designed for Vivos Integrated Providers who want to deepen their understanding of frenectomies within the context of airway, sleep, and functional dentistry.
This series includes:
- What Is a Frenectomy and Why It Matters More Than You Think
- The Sleep–Airway Connection: How Oral Tethers Affect Breathing and Rest
- Why Myofunctional Therapy and Frenectomies Go Hand in Hand
- How to Bill for Frenectomies: Dental and Medical Coding Simplified
- Why Every Dental Team Should Be Performing Frenectomies
What Exactly Is a Frenum?
A frenum is a small fold of soft tissue that connects and stabilizes structures within the mouth. There are three clinically significant types:
- Lingual frenum: anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth
- Labial frenum: connects the inner lip to the gingiva
- Buccal frenum: attaches the cheek to the gums
When these tissues are overly tight or fibrotic, they restrict movement and create tethered oral tissues (TOTs) that can compromise feeding, speech, growth, and breathing.
What Is a Frenectomy?
A frenectomy restores natural mobility by releasing or removing restrictive tissue.
Frenotomy (Incision): A small incision that releases tension without removing the entire frenum—ideal for infants or mild restrictions.
Think “release,” not removal.
Frenectomy (Excision): Complete removal of the restrictive band when it is dense or fibrotic.
Think “removal,” not release.
These procedures can be performed with a scalpel or a soft-tissue laser such as the DEKA Laser, which provides excellent precision, minimal bleeding, and rapid recovery.
Who Benefits from a Frenectomy?
| Patient Group | Common Indicators | Functional Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Infants | Poor latch, reflux, maternal pain | Efficient feeding, healthy weight gain |
| Children | Speech issues, mouth breathing, orthodontic relapse | Clear articulation, improved nasal breathing |
| Adults | Tongue restriction, OSA symptoms, TMJ tension | Better airway patency, reduced tension, improved sleep |
Beyond the Mouth — The Airway Connection
A restricted tongue cannot rest properly on the palate and often falls back toward the airway during sleep.
This can lead to:
- Mouth breathing and snoring
- Decreased oxygenation and disrupted sleep
- High, narrow palates and midface constriction
- Forward-head posture and muscle fatigue
Frenectomy supports nasal breathing, stable tongue posture, and airway balance—all core goals within the Vivos model of integrated care.
What to Expect Clinically
Frenectomies are efficient, minimally invasive, and typically completed chairside in under 15 minutes.
When performed with the DEKA Laser, clinicians gain precision, improved hemostasis, and a smoother patient experience.
Post-operative myofunctional therapy ensures proper healing, reinforces new muscle patterns, and prevents re-attachment.
Learn from the Leader in Functional Release
Ready to bring frenectomy into your airway-focused practice?
Join Dr. Kacy Jo at The Vivos Institute for Hands-On Frenectomy & Functional Release Training—created specifically for Vivos Integrated Providers.
Learn laser-assisted protocols, pre- and post-Myo integration, and documentation standards that align with the Vivos care model.
2026 Course Enrollment Now Open
Location: The Vivos Institute – Denver, CO
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