Frenulectomy with Diode Laser Technology in Paeditric Patients: Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluations. Randomized Double- Blind Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Ankyloglossia is an anatomical alteration of the frenulum length, volume, compactness, and insertion. It can lead to alterations in the ability to swallow and chewing, and dysfunctional coordination amongst cranio-facial muscles; these alterations are often responsible for respiratory alterations, skeletal malocclusions and dyslalia or the delay of speech. The aim of this study is to estimate the efficacy of lingual frenulectomy with diode-laser technology through a qualitative and quantitative evaluation. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five pediatric patients were recruited: 100 with a lingual pathological frenulum were randomly divided into four operating groups; the other 25 with a borderline pathological frenulum were recruited as a control group. Each patient was included in a follow-up program (T0-T1-T2-T3-T4) for a quantitative and qualitative evaluation: the first through an accurate measurement of Kotlow’s free tongue measurement (≥16), Mouth Opening with Tongue Tip to incisive papilla (MOTTIP), Maximal Intercisal Mouth Opening (MIO) and Protrusion; and the second using the Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function (ATLFF), Bristol Tongue Assessment Tool (BTAT), and grade of tongue functionality. Results: The increase of the aforementioned quantitative parameters was circa 10 mm, and all patients reacquired full functionality of the tongue. Conclusions: Diode-laser technology is efficient and innovative in the treatment of pathological lingual frenulums.

The Efficacy of Lingual Laser Frenectomy in Pediatric OSAS: A Randomized Double-Blinded and Controlled Clinical Study

“…Sfasciotti et al demonstrated the efficacy of a lingual frenectomy with diode laser technology through a qualitative and quantitative evaluation in pediatric patients [ 28 ]. In this study, one hundred and twenty-five pediatric patients were recruited: 100 with a lingual pathological frenulum randomly divided into four operating groups; the other 25 with a borderline pathological frenulum were recruited as a control group.…”

“…The numerical rating scale (NRS) was adopted for the pain assessment. The NRS pain evaluation system was successfully adopted due to its good reliability and accuracy, as demonstrated in many clinical studies [ 27 , 28 ].…”

Prevalence of Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children Referring for First Dental Examination. A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study Using Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire

“…The different results described in the studies could derive from the variety of methodologies used to diagnose SRDB and the difficulty in diagnosing a mental problem in children, together with the possibility that behavioral problems are considered as comorbidities and not as diseases directly correlated with OSAS [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. This difficulty in evaluation has been highlighted in recent studies, which indicate the need for more clinical trials to better clarify a possible link between SRDB and different comorbidities [ 41 , 42 , 43 ].…”

Diode versus CO2 Laser Therapy in the Treatment of High Labial Frenulum Attachment: A Pilot Randomized, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial

“…The plaque and bleeding index are above average when there is a high labial frenulum attachment which influences, negatively, the retention of plaque and the insurgence of gingivitis or gingival recession [ 14 ]. The oral surgery approach can be traditional with a scalpel, electrosurgery or with a laser, the use of which is broadening out and succeeding in different branches of dentistry [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. The advantages of the single kind of lasers are well-showed in literature but, now as then, there are few studies concerning a comparison amongst their surgical performance, especially for the mandibular labial frenectomies [ 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”