Lingual Frenectomy as a Therapeutic Approach for Ankyloglossia in Adults

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the recent scientific evidence on ankyloglossia in adults, with an emphasis on the functional benefits of surgical treatment and postoperative recovery. Furthermore, the main objetive is to review the anatomical aspects of the involved oral structures and present a clinical report of an adult patient who underwent total excision of the lingual frenulum using the conventional technique. An integrative search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, and LILACS databases, covering publications published between 2010 and 2025, in Portuguese and English. Studies with adult, adolescent, and child populations were considered, excluding those related to breastfeeding. Ankyloglossia is a morphological alteration characterized by a short, thick, or inelastic lingual frenulum, which restricts tongue mobility and can compromise functions such as speech, swallowing, and chewing, negatively impacting quality of life. Its etiology is multifactorial, with a possible genetic influence. Although the Tongue Test is mandatory for newborns in Brazil, there is no consensus on diagnostic criteria and therapeutic indications for adults, which generates controversy in the literature. Treatment can be conservative or surgical, with conventional frenectomy being an affordable and effective option. The clinical case presented demonstrated significant functional improvement and satisfactory recovery after the procedure. We conclude that ankyloglossia in adults is an underdiagnosed condition that requires greater clinical attention and standardized evaluation and management protocols.