My braces were going to be removed this Monday the 25th but when I went to the specialist to get scheduled for a Frenectomy he recommended a Fiberotomy and Crown lengthening as well. The frenectomy to reduce the chance of my gap coming back, the fiberotomy to reduce the chance of teeth going back to the regular space & the crown lengthening exposes more since my teeth are small. The dentist explained that the Frenectomy and Fiberotomy should be done while my braces are on for the best results & come back for crown lengthening.

I was told that my out of pocket is 1298.00 for the Frenectomy and Fiberotomy and my insurance company will cover the other 1000.00 and then later we could discuss the cost for the crown lengthening. I asked for an itemized statement to be faxed and 4 day later & 3 phone calls I get a statement saying statement saying 2008 treatment plan Frenectomy, Fiberotomy and Gingivectomy 1298.00 out of pocket

So initially I had a sign of relief because I was thinking 1298 isn't that bad for everything. So I decided to call just to make sure that it was the total. One of the representatives at the office did confirm that the statement for the Frenectomy, Fiberotomy and Gingivectomy was correct and that I will still need to pay and schedule crown lengthening procedure which was an additional cost. So when I asked her about the relevance of the procedure she said that whenever a Frenectomy is performed and the dentist opens the gum flap that is a Gingivectomy?

Sooo when I looked up a Gingivectomy, viewed illustrations, and read descriptions it sounded synonymous to crown lengthening….are these prices right? Is a Frenectomy, Fiberotomy, Crown lengthening & Gingivectomy necessary?

I always thought that gingivectomies were used when the teeth are short and crown lengthening is used when the roots are short. What kind of specialist is doing this surgery?

A periodontolist

Well, as he's suggested, have him to all the surgery except the crown lengthening. If you are happy with the results, there is no need to go ahead with the crown lengthening unless you will be having crowns placed.

I also thought that gingivectomies were used when the teeth are short to cut the gum...

She explaned that the gingivectomy is the flap that he cuts when the Frenectomy is done.

The frenectomy should be billed out as a single procedure unless she is removing gum tissue from around the tooth at the same time. Sometimes when braces have been on for a couple of years the gums grow over or very near the brackets and need to be removed if they can't correct on their own. Once the braces are removed and the patient can brush thoroughly and floss daily easily the gums may tighten up without the need for surgery.

Frenectomy = removal of frenum (the tissue keeping your front teeth apart)

Gingivectomy = removal of gum tissue (which the frenum is NOT)

I am told I need to have a crown lengthing procedure done to prepare for a crown because I have decay in the tooth. I am sc afraid of having this done . I'm not sure what to do. What kind of problems can develop from this procedure afterwards? Also I have been taking fosamax for a few years which is also causing me concern as well.

There are no problems that I can think of after having crown lengthening as long as you are good about brushing and flossing around the crown. The worry with Fosomax is when you have to have teeth removed. If you have been on Fosomax for 5+ yrs. You should talk to your MD about your concerns.

I JUST received an invoice & it reads

UL GINGIVECTOMY 4+ PER QUADRANT
UR GINGIVECTOMY 4+ PER QUADRANT
6 T/SC fIBEROTOMY B/R
9 T/SC fIBEROTOMY B/R
6'1 FRENULOPLASTY

WITH AN ESTIMATE OF MY PORTION NOW BEING 1588.00

Why don't you tell the dentist you only want the frenectomy done?

Honestly, in 29 years in dentistry I know of no one who has had a fiberotomy done after braces. This must be something they do in the United States??

Usually, retainers are placed after the braces are removed. Usually one is cemented permanently behind the lower front teeth and sometimes the upper front teeth. There should be a removable retainer made for the top teeth if one isn't cemented in.

Have you had a lot of tissue overgrowth while you've had your braces on?

Everything sounds right... You already spent the money on braces, so get the frenectomy/fiberotomy to prevent relapse... the crown lengthening is the removal of gums and maybe bone to make your teeth look longer... it is purely esthetic so you decide