Policy on Management of the Frenulum in Pediatric Patients

Purpose

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes that a restrictive oral frenulum may affect a child’s health by hindering the ability to breastfeed or speak. The frequency of surgical intervention has increased exponentially over the last two decades.^1-4 The AAPD recognizes an evidence-based policy on frenula would make information more accessible to dentists, physicians, other allied health professionals, and parents and help reduce the number of unnecessary or incorrectly timed procedures.