Freedom for the tongue with laser- a case report

The tongue is an important oral structure that affects speech, position of teeth, periodontal tissues, nutrition, and swallowing. Frenum is a fold of mucous membrane, usually with enclosed muscle fibres, that attaches the lips and cheeks to the alveolar mucosa and/or gingiva and underlying periosteum. Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie, is a congenital anomaly characterized by an abnormally short lingual frenulum, which restricts mobility of the tongue. 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 oral surgery. Here a case of ankyloglossia in an adult is reported with its management using a diode laser.