A lingual mucogingival problem associated with ankyloglossia: a case report

Area of Science:

• Oral surgery
• Periodontology
• Speech pathology

Background:

• Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, can affect oral functions and lead to various oral health issues.
• Gingival recession is a condition where the gum line recedes, exposing the tooth root.
• The interplay between lingual frenulum morphology, gingival recession, and speech impediments requires further investigation.

Observation:

• A male patient presented with ankyloglossia, localized gingival recession, and a noticeable speech impediment.
• The patient's condition involved a restricted lingual frenulum impacting tongue mobility.
• The gingival recession was specifically observed in the anterior mandibular region.

Findings:

• Surgical treatment, specifically a frenectomy, was performed to address the ankyloglossia.
• The surgical intervention resulted in a satisfactory outcome for both the speech impediment and the gingival recession.
• Long-term follow-up at 11 years confirmed the sustained positive results of the surgical treatment.

Implications:

• Frenectomy can be an effective treatment for ankyloglossia-related speech impediments and associated localized gingival recession.
• This case highlights the importance of considering lingual frenulum abnormalities in the differential diagnosis of speech disorders and localized gum recession.
• Further research into the causal relationship and optimal management strategies for combined ankyloglossia and gingival recession is warranted.