Diode Laser-Assisted Lingual Frenectomy in a School-Aged Child with Functional Ankyloglossia: A Case Report

¹Associate Professor, Department of Dentistry, Ibn El Jazzar University Hospital, Kairouan, Tunisia

²Faculty of Dental Medicine of Monastir, Tunisia

³Laboratory of Biological, Clinical and Dento-Facial Approach, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia

^*Corresponding author: Farah Chouchene, Associate Professor, Department of Dentistry, Ibn El Jazzar University Hospital, Kairouan, Tunisia and Faculty of Dental Medicine of Monastir, Tunisia, Email: [email protected]

Received Date: September 09, 2026
Published Date: October 27, 2026

Citation: Chouchene F. (2026). Diode Laser-Assisted Lingual Frenectomy in a School-Aged Child with Functional Ankyloglossia: A Case Report. Dental. 8(2):29.

Copyright: Chouchene F,. © (2026).

ABSTRACT

Background: Ankyloglossia is a developmental condition characterized by a restrictive lingual frenulum that may limit tongue mobility and contribute to functional difficulties in selected children. Diode laser-assisted lingual frenectomy is a minimally invasive surgical option; however, evidence regarding its comparative effectiveness and optimal parameters remains limited. This case report describes the clinical protocol and short-term outcomes of diode laser-assisted lingual frenectomy in a 7-year-old child with symptomatic ankyloglossia.

Case Presentation: A 7-year-old boy presented with restricted tongue elevation and protrusion, parent-reported oral-phase swallowing difficulties, and speech articulation concerns. Clinical examination revealed a short, thick, restrictive lingual frenulum, described as Kotlow class III. Frenectomy was performed using a 980-nm diode laser. The procedure lasted less than 4 minutes and was completed without suturing or intraoperative complications. Postoperative care included oral hygiene instructions and structured myofunctional exercises initiated 48 hours after surgery. No postoperative analgesic medication was required. At 2 weeks, the patient reported no pain, and healing was uncomplicated. At 1 month, complete mucosal re-epithelialization, improved tongue elevation and protrusion, and restored palatal contact were observed, without clinically apparent reattachment. Speech articulation also appeared improved on clinical reassessment; however, standardized speech and swallowing assessments were not performed.

Conclusion: Diode laser-assisted lingual frenectomy was feasible and associated with favorable short-term anatomical and clinically observed functional outcomes in this child. These findings represent an individual clinical observation and do not establish treatment superiority or a causal relationship between surgery and functional improvement. Further studies using standardized outcome measures and longer follow-up are needed.

Keywords: Ankyloglossia, Lingual Frenectomy, Diode Laser, Pediatric Dentistry, Swallowing, Phonation, Case Report