Short lingual frenum in infants, children and adolescents. Part 1: Breastfeeding and gastroesophageal reflux disease improvement after tethered oral tissues release

Gastrointestinal Symptom Improvement for Infants Following Tongue-Tie Correction

Treatment of tongue-tie in infants suggests improvements for breastfeeding mothers, including reduced nipple pain and improved latching onto the breast. The effects of frenotomy on infant feeding and gastrointestinal dysfunction remain controversial, with insufficient evidence on the relationship between tongue-tie and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The purpose of this study was to compare symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) distress and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) prior to and 2 weeks following frenotomy in infants with tongue-tie. Parents were surveyed prior to frenotomy and 2 weeks post procedure, using the Gastrointestinal and Gastroesophageal Reflux (GIGER) Scale for Infants and Toddlers. Eighty-four participants completed surveys at both time points, with significant improvements in GI and GER symptoms 2 weeks after frenotomy. Younger infants and those with more severe tongue-tie had the greatest improvements in GI and GER symptoms. Infants with tongue-tie and symptoms of GI tract distress may experience improvement in symptoms after frenotomy.

Effectiveness of Myofunctional Therapy in Ankyloglossia: A Systematic Review

Ankyloglossia is a pathology of the tongue in which the frenulum appears anchored to the floor of the mouth. The treatment of choice for this pathology is frenectomy, but myofunctional therapy is emerging in recent years as a complement to surgical intervention. This systematic review aims to synthesize the scientific evidence and assess its quality regarding the use of myofunctional therapy in ankyloglossia. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched. Study quality was determined using the PEDro scale, STROBE statement and single-case experimental design scale. Eleven studies were selected. Based on the studies included in this review, surgery is more effective than myofunctional therapy, although better results are achieved if both are combined. Improvements have been found in maternal pain, weight gain of babies, duration of breastfeeding, tongue mobility, strength and endurance, sleep apnea, mouth breathing and snoring, quality of life, clenching teeth, myofascial tension, pain after surgery and speech sound production. These findings must be taken with caution because of the small number of articles and their quality. Future clinical trials using larger sample sizes and with higher methodological quality are needed.