Can scar tissue from an upper lip fernectomy really hinder teeth from straightening?

I have had braces once already, but my top two teeth still have a gap, caused by a strong frenum. They are basically growing sideways, into each other. This causes a %26quot;v%26quot; shaped gap in my two front teeth--it looks like I have pepper stuck between them! An orthodontist told me that he can only correct this by putting braces on again, and after they are off proceeding with a fernectomy. He says that doing the fernectomy first will cause scar tissue, which will hinder my teeth from straightening, and that a retainer will not correct this problem, either. It sounds like it makes sense. Or is he just trying to make a few extra bucks?

Can scar tissue from an upper lip fernectomy really hinder teeth from straightening?
I think your orthodontist is being honest with you. Regarding the use of braces or a retainer, there is a difference between bodily movement (actually moving the whole tooth which is anchored in bone) and retention, which means keeping a tooth from drifting. Retainers retain- they keep teeth where they are by exerting light passive forces. Braces exert heavier forces, and actually move the teeth. Other types of ortho appliances can %26quot;tip%26quot; teeth, and don%26#039;t always have to be bonded. If your case, you need to have the teeth moved back together, so braces are the way to go.
Reply:You can have your front teeth reshaped just by having a dentist drill them down and then put nice even caps on them to match the rest of your teeth. Get more opinions. That surgery doesn%26#039;t sound very good.
Reply:No it is true,


if you have a strong incisive frenum it will separate your anteriors causing a prominent diastema. The only way to correct that would be to have that tissue properly removed and orthodontics to close up the spaces. If you don%26#039;t remove your frenum, unfortunately your teeth will relapse/ move regardless of braces, retainers or cosmetic work that will result in looking unnatural


I would have to agree with your orthodontist with regards to the frenectomy. They are very intelligent



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