Surgical Management of Ankyloglossia

Ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie, is a congenital condition that results when the inferior lingual frenulum is too short and is attached to the tip of the tongue, limiting its normal movements. Ankyloglossia can lead to a range of problems, such as difficulties in breastfeeding in infants, speech impediments, being embarrassed by peers during childhood and adolescence, and poor oral hygiene. This article reports the surgical management of a patient having ankyloglossia associated with restricted movement of tongue. The treatment involved surgical removal of the lingual frenulum, which healed uneventfully. A marked improvement in the movement of the tongue was observed at follow up visits in the treated case.