Frenuloplasty is a minor surgical procedure done primarily with laser to free a tight band of tissue either from under the tongue(tongue-tie) or under the upper lip(lip-tie).
Sutures are placed at the site of release for faster healing and minimize post op discomfort
The tongue is an important oral structure that affects speech, position of teeth, periodontal tissues, nutrition, swallowing, nursing, and certain social activities. Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie, is a congenital anomaly characterized by an abnormally short lingual frenulum, which restricts mobility of the tongue. Though the ankyloglossia is not a serious condition, it may lead to a host of problems including infant feeding difficulties, speech disorders, and various mechanical and social issues related to the inability of the tongue to protrude. Hence, management of ankyloglossia should be considered at any age considering the risk-benefit evaluation. Tongue being highly vascular and mobile structure, laser-assisted lingual frenectomy is the simplest, safest and less traumatic of all the treatment modalities available, with most promising results in minimally invasive dentistry.
Ankyloglossia is one of the most misdiagnosed and overlooked congenital abnormalities in the new born population with prevalence rate of 3.2% and if untreated can exert a harmful effect on many facets of life. Laser treatment being relatively simple and safe, patients could be benefited by the laser-assisted surgeries.