Clinical Efficacy of Diode Laser Frenectomy in Adult Ankyloglossia with Anatomical Variants: A Case Series

Nagasurthi K.J; Preetha D; Shanmugapriya R; Arunmozhi U

doi:10.37841/jidam.2026.v13.i2.003

3

Cases

4

Authors

18

References

📝Abstract

📥 Received: 27 April 2026 ✅ Accepted: 2 June 2026 📤 Published: 5 July 2026

Ankyloglossia is a congenital anomaly characterized by a restrictive lingual frenulum that limits tongue mobility and function, with effects that may persist into adulthood when untreated. Although frequently identified during infancy, many cases remain undiagnosed, resulting in long-term functional limitations. Laser-assisted lingual frenectomy has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to conventional scalpel techniques, offering improved hemostasis, reduced postoperative discomfort, and accelerated healing. This case series describes three adult patients with Kotlow Class I-III ankyloglossia managed using diode laser frenectomy. Clinical evaluation demonstrated predictable improvement in tongue mobility and function with uneventful healing. These findings support the clinical efficacy of diode laser frenectomy in appropriately selected adult patients with anatomically restrictive lingual frenula.

Keywords: Ankyloglossia Tongue-tie Adult frenectomy Diode laser

📋How to Cite

Nagasurthi KJ, Preetha D, Shanmugapriya R, Arunmozhi U. Clinical Efficacy of Diode Laser Frenectomy in Adult Ankyloglossia with Anatomical Variants: A Case Series. J Indian Dent Assoc Madras. 2026;13(2). DOI: 10.37841/jidam.2026.v13.i2.003

Nagasurthi, K. J., Preetha, D., Shanmugapriya, R., & Arunmozhi, U. (2026). Clinical Efficacy of Diode Laser Frenectomy in Adult Ankyloglossia with Anatomical Variants: A Case Series. Journal of Indian Dental Association Madras, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.37841/jidam.2026.v13.i2.003

Nagasurthi, K. J., et al. "Clinical Efficacy of Diode Laser Frenectomy in Adult Ankyloglossia with Anatomical Variants: A Case Series." Journal of Indian Dental Association Madras, vol. 13, no. 2, 2026. DOI: 10.37841/jidam.2026.v13.i2.003.

Nagasurthi KJ, Preetha D, Shanmugapriya R, Arunmozhi U. Clinical Efficacy of Diode Laser Frenectomy in Adult Ankyloglossia with Anatomical Variants: A Case Series. J Indian Dent Assoc Madras. 2026;13(2). doi:10.37841/jidam.2026.v13.i2.003

Nagasurthi, K. J., Preetha D., Shanmugapriya R., and Arunmozhi U. "Clinical Efficacy of Diode Laser Frenectomy in Adult Ankyloglossia with Anatomical Variants: A Case Series." Journal of Indian Dental Association Madras 13, no. 2 (2026). https://doi.org/10.37841/jidam.2026.v13.i2.003.

📚References

1
Hatami A, Kiani M, Salehi M, et al. Assessment Tools for Ankyloglossia: A Systematic Review. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 2023, 167, 111472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111472
2
Segal LM, Stephenson R, Dawes M, Feldman P. Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Ankyloglossia: Methodologic Review. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 2007, 71, 1701–1709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2007.07.009
3
Frezza S, Lombardo L, Ortensi L, et al. Laser-Assisted Frenectomy in Adolescents and Adults: Clinical Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction. Lasers Med. Sci. 2023, 38, 105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03655-9
4
Comparison of Laser and Scalpel Frenectomy Techniques: A Systematic Review. Clin. Oral Investig. 2022, 26, 389–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-021-04077-4
5
Messner AH, Lalakea ML. The Effect of Ankyloglossia on Speech in Children. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 2000, 122, 495–498. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0194-5998(00)70061-1
6
Zaghi S, Valcu-Pinkerton S, Jabara M, et al. Lingual Frenuloplasty with Myofunctional Therapy: Exploring Safety and Efficacy in 348 Cases. Laryngoscope Investig. Otolaryngol. 2019, 4, 489–499. https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.297
7
Kotlow LA. Ankyloglossia (Tongue-Tie): A Diagnostic and Treatment Quandary. J. Pediatr. Dent. Care 1999, 5, 26–28.
8
Baxter R, Merkel-Walsh R, Baxter BS, Lashley A, Rendell N. Functional Improvements of Speech, Feeding, and Sleep after Lingual Frenectomy. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 2020, 130, 109784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.109784
9
Lalakea ML, Messner AH. Ankyloglossia: Does It Matter? Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 2003, 128, 672–675. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0194-5998(03)00134-2
10
Coryllos E, Genna CW, Salloum AC. Congenital Tongue-Tie and Its Impact on Breastfeeding. Pediatrics 2004, 114, e63–e67. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.114.1.e63
11
Guilleminault C, Huseni S, Lo L. A Frequent Phenotype for Paediatric Sleep Apnoea: Short Lingual Frenulum. Sleep Med. 2016, 25, 84–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2016.01.012
12
Marchesan IQ, Martinelli RL, Gusmão RJ. Lingual Frenulum: Changes after Frenectomy. CoDAS 2012, 24, 613–621. https://doi.org/10.1590/S2317-17822012000600015
13
Suter VGA, Bornstein MM. Ankyloglossia: Facts and Myths in Diagnosis and Treatment. Swiss Dent. J. 2009, 119, 113–120.
14
Saccomanno S, et al. Correlation between Ankyloglossia and Temporomandibular Disorders. J. Oral Rehabil. 2019, 46, 125–134. doi.org/10.1111/joor.12734
15
Beckmann A, Peroz I, Peroz S. Anatomical versus Functional Classification of Ankyloglossia and Their Association with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. J. Oral Facial Pain Headache 2025, 39 (1), 49–58. doi.org/10.22514/jofph.2025.049
16
Azma E, Safavi N. Diode laser application in soft tissue oral surgery. J Lasers Med Sci. 2013;4(4):206–211.
17
Murias I, Grzech-Leśniak K, Murias A, Walicka-Cupryś K, Dominiak M, Golob Deeb J, Matys J. Efficacy of various laser wavelengths in the surgical treatment of ankyloglossia: A systematic review. Life (Basel). 2022;12(4):558. doi:10.3390/life12040558.
18
Patil S, Deshmukh R, Raut D, et al. Effectiveness of diode laser in intraoral soft tissue surgeries – an evaluative study. J Clin Diagn Res. 2022;16(5): ZC01–ZC05. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2022/54321.16001.

[1] 1
Hatami A, Kiani M, Salehi M, et al. Assessment Tools for Ankyloglossia: A Systematic Review. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 2023, 167, 111472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111472

[2] 2
Segal LM, Stephenson R, Dawes M, Feldman P. Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Ankyloglossia: Methodologic Review. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 2007, 71, 1701–1709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2007.07.009

[3] 3
Frezza S, Lombardo L, Ortensi L, et al. Laser-Assisted Frenectomy in Adolescents and Adults: Clinical Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction. Lasers Med. Sci. 2023, 38, 105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03655-9

[4] 4
Comparison of Laser and Scalpel Frenectomy Techniques: A Systematic Review. Clin. Oral Investig. 2022, 26, 389–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-021-04077-4

[5] 5
Messner AH, Lalakea ML. The Effect of Ankyloglossia on Speech in Children. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 2000, 122, 495–498. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0194-5998(00)70061-1

[6] 6
Zaghi S, Valcu-Pinkerton S, Jabara M, et al. Lingual Frenuloplasty with Myofunctional Therapy: Exploring Safety and Efficacy in 348 Cases. Laryngoscope Investig. Otolaryngol. 2019, 4, 489–499. https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.297

[7] 7
Kotlow LA. Ankyloglossia (Tongue-Tie): A Diagnostic and Treatment Quandary. J. Pediatr. Dent. Care 1999, 5, 26–28.

[8] 8
Baxter R, Merkel-Walsh R, Baxter BS, Lashley A, Rendell N. Functional Improvements of Speech, Feeding, and Sleep after Lingual Frenectomy. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 2020, 130, 109784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.109784

[9] 9
Lalakea ML, Messner AH. Ankyloglossia: Does It Matter? Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 2003, 128, 672–675. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0194-5998(03)00134-2

[10] 10
Coryllos E, Genna CW, Salloum AC. Congenital Tongue-Tie and Its Impact on Breastfeeding. Pediatrics 2004, 114, e63–e67. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.114.1.e63

[11] 11
Guilleminault C, Huseni S, Lo L. A Frequent Phenotype for Paediatric Sleep Apnoea: Short Lingual Frenulum. Sleep Med. 2016, 25, 84–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2016.01.012

[12] 12
Marchesan IQ, Martinelli RL, Gusmão RJ. Lingual Frenulum: Changes after Frenectomy. CoDAS 2012, 24, 613–621. https://doi.org/10.1590/S2317-17822012000600015

[13] 13
Suter VGA, Bornstein MM. Ankyloglossia: Facts and Myths in Diagnosis and Treatment. Swiss Dent. J. 2009, 119, 113–120.

[14] 14
Saccomanno S, et al. Correlation between Ankyloglossia and Temporomandibular Disorders. J. Oral Rehabil. 2019, 46, 125–134. doi.org/10.1111/joor.12734

[15] 15
Beckmann A, Peroz I, Peroz S. Anatomical versus Functional Classification of Ankyloglossia and Their Association with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. J. Oral Facial Pain Headache 2025, 39 (1), 49–58. doi.org/10.22514/jofph.2025.049

[16] 16
Azma E, Safavi N. Diode laser application in soft tissue oral surgery. J Lasers Med Sci. 2013;4(4):206–211.

[17] 17
Murias I, Grzech-Leśniak K, Murias A, Walicka-Cupryś K, Dominiak M, Golob Deeb J, Matys J. Efficacy of various laser wavelengths in the surgical treatment of ankyloglossia: A systematic review. Life (Basel). 2022;12(4):558. doi:10.3390/life12040558.

[18] 18
Patil S, Deshmukh R, Raut D, et al. Effectiveness of diode laser in intraoral soft tissue surgeries – an evaluative study. J Clin Diagn Res. 2022;16(5): ZC01–ZC05. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2022/54321.16001.