Have you ever heard of a frenectomy (tongue tie-surgery)? If you haven’t, don’t worry. You’re not alone.
Frenectomy (Tongue Tie-Surgery) Defined
So, let’s break it down. The suffix -tomy refers to cutting or making an incision. The frenulum (or frenum, plural: frenula or frena) is defined as folds of tissue that stabilize a mobile body part. Frenula are located in various areas of the body: the brain, digestive tract, oral cavity, and external genitalia. In the oral cavity, the three most visible frenula are the two that attach the maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) lips to the respective arch and the one that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Loosely translated, the frenulum is the “stringy”-looking tissue under the tongue and lips. Putting both words together, a frenectomy is the cutting of the frenulum.
The next question one might ask is: Why would anyone want to cut his or her frenulum? That is a good question! If you want to learn more about this procedure, including the indications, the risks, and the benefits, check out our latest podcast titled “Frenectomies: The Truth Behind Surgical Intervention,” with our guests Drs. Bobbi and Robert Stanley.
Frenectomies: The Truth Behind Surgical Intervention Podcast
You can choose to listen to the podcast on one of the streaming platforms below, or you can access the podcast directly on our podcast page.
APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY | SPREAKER
Dr. Bobbi Stanley
Education and Philosophy
Dr. Bobbi Stanley is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry and has advanced her education throughout her 25-year career. As owner and principal dentist of one of the largest comprehensive dental practices in North Carolina, her goal has been excellence in patient care through continuing education, the latest dental equipment and technology, and superior materials. Dr. Bobbi Stanley reinforces these guiding principles with her team members and offers a myriad of opportunities for dental continuing education for associate dentists, auxiliary clinical team members, and dental office team members.
Affiliations
Dr. Bobbi Stanley is a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD), Diplomate in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (DICOI), a Fellow with the International Association of Orthodontics (IAO), and a Fellow at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI).
Additionally, she is a Sustaining Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), the International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics (ICCMO), the International Association of Orthodontics (IAO), and a Qualified Member of the Crown Council, the American Dental Association (ADA), the Raleigh-Wake County Dental Society, the North Carolina Dental Society, the American Academy of Women Dentists (AAWD), and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS).
Dr. Bobbi Stanley is an adjunct professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at her alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. She is co-founder and senior instructor at the Stanley Institute for Comprehensive Dentistry in Cary, NC, as well as a senior instructor at the International Association of Orthodontics in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and The Facial Beauty Institute in Memphis, Tennessee.
Dr. Bobby Stanley
Education and Background
Dr. Robert Stanley’s professional career began as a mechanical and aerospace engineer. After receiving his BS, MS, and PhD from North Carolina State University in engineering with a concentration in control theory, he enjoyed almost a decade with a telecommunications company in Research Triangle Park. To pursue his passion for dentistry, he returned to school and earned his doctorate in dentistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, where he became a Smile Engineer™.
As a dentist and an engineer, Dr. Robert Stanley has the unique ability to master and share his understanding of biomechanics as it applies to the daily implementation of dental implants. Dr. Stanley has extensive experience in implant surgery as well as advanced bone and soft tissue grafting. His implementation of 3D CBCT technology with guided dental implant surgery and guided sinus lift surgery makes planning and placing dental implants predictable and successful.
Affiliations
He is a Diplomate with the American Board of Oral Implantology, the International College of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), certified in Oral, IV and Conscious Sedation and is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), the American Dental Association (ADA), the Raleigh-Wake Dental Society, the North Carolina Dental Society, the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS) and the International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics.
Due to his uncommon depth of knowledge, Dr. Stanley— Smile Engineer™ is frequently called upon to consult with dental industry manufacturers, suppliers, and laboratories on product and process creation and improvement. Dr. Stanley is available for consultations in the biomedical engineering field. Learn more about professional consultations.
Dr. Robert Stanley is a lifelong learner and enjoys sharing his passion for engineering and dentistry as the co-founder and continuing education (CE) instructor at The Stanley Institute. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at his dental alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry.
Personal Life
When he is not in the clinic or classroom, Dr. Robert Stanley is an avid athlete and enjoys CrossFit training, weightlifting, swimming, biking, and running. In October 2017, he completed his first Ironman Triathlon in Louisville, Kentucky. When time allows, he is an accomplished carpenter and uses his carpentry skills to build fine furniture. He and his wife and business partner are the parents of four children.