Management of ankyloglossia by functional frenuloplasty using diode laser

Abstract

Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie is a condition present since birth that results in restricted movement of the tongue due to the attachment of the lingual frenulum. The condition affects breastfeeding, speaking, swallowing, occlusion, and proper tongue posture. Tongue ties vary in degree of severity from mild cases of mucus membrane bands to complete tongue ties where the tongue adheres to the floor of the mouth. Treatment options such as speech therapy, frenotomy,frenectomyhave all been suggested in the literature. Surgical correction often causes, bleeding,chances of infection, swelling, and relapse. A systemically healthy 23-year-old male patient who experienced difficulty in speech since childhood was referred for treatment to the dental clinic in September 2020. He was diagnosed with Kotlows class III tongue tie and angles class 3 malocclusion. Orthodontic correction and Functional frenuloplasty using a diode laser was carried out. In conjunction with it,orofacial myofunctional therapy was advised. Follow-up: The surgical procedure was uneventful. The patient was reviewed post-operatively at regular intervals every 3 months to check for relapse. This paper elaborates on the newer modes of diagnosis, orofacial myofunctional therapy, and lingual frenuloplasty with diode laser. This technique will help to overcome all the challenges of conventional tongue-tie treatments providing long-term excellent results.