Frenectomy and frenotomy - releasing a restrictive frenulum, done properly.
Infant tongue‑tie, upper lip‑tie, older‑child speech releases, adult lingual frenectomy, and penile frenuloplasty - with the right clinician for the age and a straight answer on whether a division is needed at all.
Indicative pricing
What a private frenectomy costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across UK private providers. NHS funding is often available when there is a clear clinical indication - we will tell you when it applies.
In short
£150–£300, feed the same visit.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant lingual frenotomy (scissors) | £150–£300 | 1–2 min | Same visit |
| Infant tongue‑tie by laser | £300–£500 | 5–10 min | Same visit |
| Child/adult lingual frenectomy (LA) | £400–£1,000 | 15–30 min | Same visit |
| Labial frenectomy (upper/lower lip‑tie) | £300–£800 | 10–20 min | Same visit |
| Penile frenuloplasty (LA) | £1,000–£2,000 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| Assessment / feeding consultation | £90–£200 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinician, by whether the release is done with scissors or laser, and by whether feeding support is bundled in.
The problem
The right assessment, the right clinician, the right - or no - division.
Tongue‑tie is one of the most over‑diagnosed conditions in private practice. NICE and the RCPCH have cautioned against reflex division of posterior tongue‑tie. We fix the assessment first.
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Worried about reattachment?
A careful release plus taught post‑op stretches keep the redo rate low. We are honest about the numbers.
When it helps
When a frenectomy is the right step.
The situations we see most across infants, children and adults, plus the one red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.
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Infant tongue‑tie affecting feeding
Poor latch, painful nipples, slow weight gain or endless feeds - after IBCLC support has already been tried.
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Toddler or child speech and eating
A restrictive lingual frenulum interfering with clear speech, eating a range of textures, or licking the lips.
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Adult tongue‑tie
Limited tongue elevation causing speech effort, dental hygiene issues, or discomfort - a straightforward release under LA.
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Upper lip‑tie in infants
A thick upper labial frenulum interfering with a deep breastfeeding latch, sometimes alongside a tongue‑tie.
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Persistent midline diastema
A prominent upper labial frenulum keeping a gap between the front teeth after orthodontic assessment.
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Recurrent frenulum tearing
A short penile frenulum tearing repeatedly with sex - often fixed by a small frenuloplasty alone.
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Dyspareunia from tight frenulum
Pain or bleeding with sex due to a tight or scarred penile frenulum - released as a standalone procedure or with an adult circumcision.
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Red flag: unwell infant
A baby who is lethargic, dehydrated, jaundiced or losing weight quickly needs same‑day paediatric review - not a clinic booking.
Procedure options
One name, several very different procedures.
What each option on the table actually involves - and which fits which problem, from newborn to adult.
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Infant lingual frenotomy
A quick scissor division of an anterior tongue‑tie in a baby under a few months old. No anaesthetic, feed straight after, minimal bleeding.
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Infant laser tongue‑tie release
Diode or CO₂ laser used by a dentist or specialist. Bloodless, but still a division - the assessment is what matters most.
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Posterior tongue‑tie release
A deeper submucosal band. NICE and RCPCH caution against overtreating this - done only when feeding assessment truly supports it.
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Older child / adult lingual frenectomy
Local anaesthetic, cold‑scissor or laser, dissolvable sutures. Aftercare stretches are the key to a good result.
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Upper labial frenectomy (infant)
A short release of a thick upper lip‑tie to help a deeper breastfeeding latch - usually only when a tongue‑tie is also being addressed.
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Labial frenectomy for diastema
Done after orthodontic assessment to stop a prominent frenulum reopening the midline gap once braces come off.
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Penile frenuloplasty
A small Z‑plasty or longitudinal‑release, transverse‑closure of a tight penile frenulum. LA, dissolvable sutures, no sex for two weeks.
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Assessment only
An honest opinion on whether a division is warranted at all - and, for infants, feeding support that may make the question go away.
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Frenectomy is a common, low‑risk procedure. The things worth planning are the assessment beforehand, the aftercare stretches, and knowing when improvement will be partial rather than total.
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Bleeding is usually minimal
A few drops for an infant, a little more for adults with sutures. Significant bleeding is uncommon and the clinician is prepared for it.
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Infection is rare
The mouth heals quickly. Saltwater rinses from day one, and antibiotics only if a genuine infection develops.
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Reattachment happens in 2–15%
The commonest late problem. Gentle post‑op stretches (as taught by the clinician) keep the diamond open while it heals.
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Scarring and over‑release
Rare with a careful operator, more common with over‑enthusiastic laser division. We favour clinicians who err on the side of less.
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Feeding may not improve
Latch problems are multifactorial. If a tongue‑tie was truly the block, division helps; if it was one of several factors, expect partial improvement.
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Transient numbness (adults)
A patch of numbness in the tongue tip or lip after an adult frenectomy is usually short‑lived - days to weeks.
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No sex for two weeks (frenuloplasty)
Penile frenuloplasty sutures need two full weeks of rest before intercourse or masturbation to prevent breakdown.
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NICE cautions on overtreatment
Posterior tongue‑tie in particular is over‑diagnosed. A proper feeding assessment before division is not optional.
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Red flags after surgery
Persistent bleeding, spreading swelling, fever, or (in a baby) refusing to feed altogether - call the clinic or A&E the same day.
Reading your procedure note
Your procedure note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique was used, the note the clinician sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and type of tie
What was found - anterior or posterior lingual tie, upper or lower labial tie, penile frenulum - and why a division was agreed.
- 02 Technique
Method and anaesthetic
Scissors, diode laser, CO₂ laser or Er:YAG; topical anaesthetic, LA, or none for a young infant; sutures if used.
- 03 Findings
Assessment and any co‑issues
Feeding assessment for infants, speech notes for children, dental or orthodontic notes for labial cases.
- 04 Impression
Aftercare, stretches, review timing
Read this first: how to do the post‑op stretches, when to feed or eat normally, and when to come back.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for frenectomy varies by insurer and by indication - usually funded when medically indicated (feeding, speech, recurrent tearing), self‑pay for cosmetic cases.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about frenectomy.
Quick answers on when it is needed, what it costs, and how to prevent the tie from coming back.
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Is my baby’s tongue‑tie causing the feeding problem?
Not always. Most feeding pain is a latch or positioning issue that a good IBCLC can fix. A tongue‑tie is worth dividing when a proper assessment shows the tongue truly cannot move enough to transfer milk - not because the frenulum looks short.
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What does an infant tongue‑tie division actually involve?
The baby is wrapped, the tongue lifted, and the frenulum divided with sterile scissors in a second or two. Most babies cry briefly, then feed immediately - usually more comfortably. There is no anaesthetic for young infants; the frenulum has few nerve endings.
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Laser or scissors - which is better?
For infants, scissors are the standard and just as effective. For older children and adults, laser (diode, CO₂ or Er:YAG) can be less bloody and needs fewer sutures, but the operator matters more than the tool.
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How much does a tongue‑tie or lip‑tie release cost privately in the UK?
Roughly £150–£300 for an infant scissor division, £300–£500 with a laser, £400–£1,000 for an older child or adult under LA, £300–£800 for a labial frenectomy, and £1,000–£2,000 for a penile frenuloplasty. NHS funding is often available when the clinical indication is clear.
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Will the tie come back?
A small proportion - around 2–15% depending on the study - will partially reattach as the wound contracts. Gentle post‑op stretches as taught by the clinician are the single best way to prevent this.
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What is post‑op stretching, and do I really need to do it?
For older children and adults it means gently lifting or stretching the released area two to three times a day for two to three weeks. It keeps the diamond‑shaped wound open while it heals. Skipping it is the commonest cause of a redo.
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When can I have sex after a penile frenuloplasty?
Not before two full weeks. Early intercourse or masturbation is the commonest reason the sutures give way and healing is disrupted. If a circumcision was done at the same time, the wait is four to six weeks.