A frenectomy is the surgical removal of a frenum in the mouth. A frenum is a fold of tissue that passes from the movable lip or cheek to the gum. When a frenum is positioned in such a way as to interfere with the normal alignment of teeth or results in pulling away of the gum from the tooth surface causing recession, these are often removed using a surgical process known as a frenectomy

Frenectomies are said to not be painful...LIES!!! It also involves grafting the gums with skin from the roof of your mouth or another part of your gums. If your periodonist is as sadistic as mine, he will also leave you with stitches that need removing, causing tooth-brushing, smiling and eating to be a painful, pain in the ass.