Ankyloglossia (tongue tie) involves an abnormal lingual frenulum, which may be shorter, thicker, tighter and/or more extensive than normal. It occurs in 2 to 11% of infants and may range from mild to severe.
The abnormal frenulum results in decreased mobility of the distal tongue with a limited ability to protrude the tongue. In some cases the tongue may become heart-shaped when the patient tries to protrude the tongue, with the lateral aspects extending outward while the central part is restricted.
Complications:
(1) difficulty breastfeeding
(2) speech articulation difficultieis
(3) poor oral hygiene
(4) embarassment
Simple frenotomy is often sufficient to provide functional improvement for the patient.
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