Abstract

Tongue is the major oral structure which influence verbal communication or speech, tooth position, periodontal tissue, nutrition, swallowing, nursing, and certain social activities. Ankyloglossia also termed as tongue tie, is a birth anamoly or congenital oral defect that limits the ability of the tongue tip to move freely due to uncommonly short, thick lingual frenulum, a membrane joining the ventral surface of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Ankyloglossia, if neglected or go undiagnosed in early stages may lead to number of problems like feeding difficulties, social issues and may also lead to speech disorder all over life. Early intervention of tongue tie by frenectomy may surmount speech struggles by speech therapy. Considering the risk benefit ratio, treatment of tongue tie should be carried out at any time of life. Since tongue is extremely vascular and agile structure, laser-aided lingual frenulum removal may be considered effortless, harmless and comparatively less traumatic than other treatment modes. This paper reports a case of ankyloglossia of an adult male patient managed by diode laser.

Description