Management of ankyloglossia in 2 years old male patient with epilepsy and global developmental delay

Introduction: Ankyloglossia is defined as a developmental anomaly of the tongue characterized by an abnormally short, thick lingual frenulum resulting in limitation of tongue movement. Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie affects speech, feeding, oral hygiene as well as social environment also. Case History: A 2 years old male patient was brought by his parent by referral of pediatrician to the pediatric dentist policlinic at Dr. Saiful Anwar Regional General Hospital Malang, East Java with the chief complaint difficulties to speech, choked when eating, and excessive drooling. The patient also has epilepsy and global developmental delay and under the control of his pediatrician. According to the clinical examination, the patient had a tongue tie with a thick frenum, limited tongue movements. Discussion: Tongue is an important organ that plays a big role in influencing speech, tooth position, periodontal tissue, swallowing function, as well as nutritional function. The key principle of management of children with developmental concerns is early intervention. In this case the children got reffered by his pediatrician to pediatric dentist specialist to give the intervention to the tongue so the child could improve the ability to drink, eating, and also the speech. Several studies have shown tongue-tie release as a safe and successful procedure with little to no complications. The purpose of post operative exercise after surgery is to develop new muscle movements particularly those involving tongue tip elevation and protrusion, inside and outside of the mouth, improved speech and mastication. Conclusion: frenotomy to treat ankyloglosia in 2 years old male patient with epilepsy and global developmental delay shows no post operative complication