• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.125-128
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• 1996

Tongue tie is the congenital anomaly which is manifested by an abnormally short and thick lingual frenulum so that a condition outside of the range of normal anatomic or functional capability. In general, the surgical correction is the treatment of choice: release of tongue tie and closure. We compared the traditional frenotomy with laser frenotomy using Nd：YAG laser to treat 67 cases of tongue tie during a period of JAN. 1993 through Feb. 1996. The advantages of laser frenotomy were decreased blood loss and operation time. So we had a conclusion as the adequate use of laser frenotomy with suture was a good surgical procedure for correction of tongue tie.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 1999

The mandibular buccal frenum is defined as a fold of mucous membrane at the posterior labial vestibule and attaches the lips and the cheeks to the alveolar mucosa, gingiva, and underlying periosteum. The buccal frenum becomes a problem when its attachment is too close to the marginal gingiva. It may then pull on healthy gingiva, encourage plaque formation and interfere with tooth brushing. Especially, heavy buccal frenum mucogingivally results in insufficent attached gingiva, inadequate vestibular depth and high frenum attachment and also difficulty in eruption of mandibular premolar. Frenotomy, frenectomy and mucogingival surgery are used in treating heavy buccal frenum. Frenotomy with autogenous free gingival graft has been used popularly because of its stable result. But, it is difficult in younger children because of inadequate donor site, difficulty in making recipient site and behavior management. Frenotomy with apically positioned flap is considered as more efficient way for a very young child with heavy buccal frenum. Additionally, modified deep sedation with $N_2O-O_2$ can be used as an adjunct for the effective treatment outcome. Decrease in muscle pull, adequate width of attached gingiva and increased vestibular depth can be expected from this treatment approach.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.533-539
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• 1994

The mandibular buccal frenum is a fold of mucous membrane at the posterior labial vestibule, that attaches the lips and the cheeks to the alveolar mucosa, gingiva, and underlying periosteum. The buccal frenum becomes a problem if its attachment is too close to the marginal gingiva. It may then pull on healthy gingiva, encourge plaque formation and interfere with tooth brushing. Heavy buccal frenum mucogingivally results in insufficient attached gingiva, inadequate vestibular depth and high frenum attachment and also difficulty in eruption of mandibular second premolar. Frenectomy in various forms has been used for many years to remove the influence of the frenum. Unfortunately, the results are not always ideal and there is often postoperative relapse because of muscle pull. In this treatment, frenotomy was used in conjuction with autogenous free gingival graft with the object of removing the influence of the buccal frenum and creating an adequate and stable width of attached gingiva. We observed decrease in muscle pull, adequate width of attached gingiva and increased vestibular depth in addition to progressive eruption of second premolar. Periodic follow-up is needed for evaluation of relapse, grafting gingiva and also space regaining for second premolar.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.568-574
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• 2009

Tongue-tie is a congenital anomaly characterized by an abnormally short lingual frenum, which may restrict tongue tip mobility, In the neonate and infant, tongue-tie was said to cause difficult breast-feeding, In the older infant, toddler and young child, poor speech has been frequently listed because movement of tongue tip is limit ed. Also as a abnormal tongue position, various orthodontic problems, later mechanical and social manifestations could be developed. Treatment options such as observation, speech therapy, frenotomy and frenectomy have been suggested. The optimal timing for the surgery has not been determined, but early intervention may be appropriate for the children with significant tongue-tie who has the significant potential to speech difficulties and later social and mechanical problems. Sedation is an effective method for incapable of cooperative and the handicapped children, necessary to early intervention. We report three cases, using oral sedation for the frenectomy in young children with severe tongue-tie. After treatments, we could find out sufficient tongue movement and improved speech ability.