Search Results (4)

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of frenulotomy in mother–infant pairs with problematic tongue-tie. Methods: A 2-year prospective observational cohort study was performed. Mother–infant pairs were divided into frenulotomy and non-frenulotomy groups by maternal choice. Four breastfeeding practice outcomes were evaluated: reduced latching pain scores, improved LATCH scores, regained birth weight within 2 weeks post-partum, and successful exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at 3 months of age. The comparison between groups was performed using multivariable risk regression with propensity score analysis. Results: A total of 350 mother–infant pairs were included. There were 226 mother–infant pairs who underwent frenulotomy and 124 pairs in the non-frenulotomy group. The median latching pain scores significantly decreased from 6 to 3 at 24 h post-operatively and from 6 to 0 at 1 week post-operatively (p < 0.001). The median LATCH scores increased significantly from 5 to 9 at 1 week post-operatively (p < 0.001). LATCH scores within 2 weeks were improved in the frenolotomy group (risk ratio = 1.31, p = 0.017). The success rate of EBF at 3 months was 72.12% in the frenulotomy group and 76.61% in the non-frenulotomy group, with no statistically significance. Conclusions: Short-term breastfeeding outcomes and LATCH scores in mother–infant pairs with tongue-tie improved faster in those who underwent the procedure, with no complications. Full article

Background: Ankyloglossia is a congenital, abnormally short, thickened, or tight lingual frenulum that restricts tongue mobility, which may impair the development of the lower face morphology, namely the occlusion and skeleton. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether and how the lingual frenotomy benefits the occlusion and lower face skeleton development. Search methods and selection criteria: The authors, independently and in duplication, performed searches of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, Web of Science, and Embase, introducing the following keywords: tongue tie, ankyloglossia, and short lingual frenum/frenulum, combined with malocclusion, lower face skeleton, and hyoid bone. Data collection and analysis: Relevant articles were assessed for quality according to the Cochrane guidelines and the data extracted for further analysis of the risk of bias and the evidence strength. Results: Seven articles including 1349 patients with ankyloglossia and 90 in the control group underwent the detailed analysis. The quality of the included studies was assessed as low. The strongest evidence of studies reporting the relationship of ankyloglossia with lower face abnormalities concerns the reduction in the intercanine and intermolar widths in either the maxilla or the mandible, as well as Class III occurrence. Limitations: The drawbacks of the analysed papers are mainly composition and number of participants. There is also a lack of good-quality prospective studies, particularly randomised clinical trials, in the literature. Conclusions: Although the lack of high-quality studies dictates that we must treat our results cautiously, the gathered evidence conditionally allow us to state the following: 1. ankyloglossia may be one of the factors contributing to maxillary constriction, Class III malocclusion, and mandibular incisor crowding; 2. the patient’s age is relevant when it comes to frenotomy timing. Possible indications for the procedure depend on the patient’s malocclusion. Full article

Aim: The aim of this narrative review is to analyze and compare the current scientific evidence regarding the diagnosis and treatment of hypertrophic lingual frenulum in preschool and school-age children. The treatments considered in this review are traditional surgical therapy, laser-assisted surgical therapy, and functional rehabilitation therapy. Materials and methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed and PubMed Central search engines, considering articles published in the English language between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2022. The bibliographic search was performed using the following keywords as search strings: “lingual”, “frenulectomy”, “frenulotomy”, “frenulum”, “ankyloglossia”, and “laser.” Results: A total of 14 articles were included in this review, including four prospective observational studies, one case–control study, three cross-sectional studies, four retrospective studies, and one randomized controlled trial. The data extracted from each article are summarized in a table. Conclusions: In the literature, there are still limited studies regarding the treatment of hypertrophic frenulum. No common indications for the treatment of ankyloglossia and universally used classification for lingual frenulum were found. Currently, clinicians prefer the use of a diode laser for treatment. This method offers several advantages over the use of a scalpel blade. Many studies agree on the usefulness of providing patients with myofunctional rehabilitation to improve lingual mobility, both prior to surgical therapy and in the postoperative period. Full article

Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, is the most common disorder of tongue morphology characterized by aberrant attachment of the lingual frenum. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive literature review and evaluate the effectiveness of various laser wavelengths in the surgical treatment of patients with ankyloglossia. An electronic screening of PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases was conducted on 8 November 2021. The following search terms were used to review the available data on the subject of interest: (ankyloglossia OR tongue tie OR short lingual frenulum OR lingual frenectomy OR lingual frenulectomy OR lingual frenotomy OR lingual frenulotomy) AND laser. The use of lasers in ankyloglossia treatment resulted in shorter procedure time, reduced indications for general anesthesia, reduced administration of postoperative analgesics, fewer sutures or none needed, reduced postoperative bleeding, and improved healing. Despite many advantages, this method has its clinical limitations: it requires the use of expensive equipment; well-trained personnel familiar with lasers; and personal protective equipment for the patient, caregiver, operator, and assistant. The laser procedure does not eliminate the need for myofunctional exercises and work with a speech therapist. Full article