Bloodless management of ankyloglossia

Abstract

Ankyloglossia is a congenital anomaly that occurs due to the presence of a short, thick lingual frenum that limits the tongue movement causing difficulty in speech and may pose a problem in maintenance of the periodontal health in the mandibular anterior region on the lingual aspect, thus affecting the health of the periodontium. The present case report described the case of an 18-year-old female who faced difficulty in pronouncing certain letters and presented with a diastema between the mandibular central incisors. She was diagnosed with Kotlow's Class II ankyloglossia, and frenectomy of the lingual frenum was advised. The choice of method for the frenectomy was laser, so that only minimal bleeding occurred in an area that otherwise presents with profuse bleeding and reduces the patient morbidity. Posttreatment, good healing was seen, and the desired movement of the tongue was achieved.