193 - Effectiveness of Frenectomies on Pediatric Tongue and Lip Tie Symptoms

Purpose:

The objective of this study was to determine if frenectomies improved the symptoms of tongue and lip tie in pediatric dental patients.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review of pediatric dental patients at the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas was conducted between September 2023 and June 2024 to compare the symptoms of tongue and lip tie pre- and post-frenectomy. Questionnaires completed by the caregivers at the initial consult appointment and one month after the frenectomy were reviewed. McNemar’s test was used to determine if there was statistically significant improvements in symptoms.

Results:

During the study period, 135 pediatric patients underwent 235 frenectomies. 127 (54%) were lingual frenectomies and 108 (46%) were labial frenectomies. In the post-frenectomy questionnaire, caregivers reported an improvement in clicking (55.6%), milk dribbling (67.5%), gagging (65.2%), grinding (33.3%), and sleeping in strange positions (55.6%). Caregivers who did not notice symptoms initially but realized post-frenectomy improvement noticed a 62.8% for clicking, 71.7% for milk dribbling, 72.9% for gagging, 55.6% for grinding, and 66.7% for sleeping in strange positions. There was statistically significant improvement in the symptoms of clicking, milk dribbling, gagging, and sleeping in strange positions (p < 0.0001). No statistically significant difference was noted for the patients who presented with grinding due to limited data for this symptom.

Conclusions:
Performing frenectomies improved pediatric dental patients’ tongue and lip tie symptoms of clicking, milk dribbling, gagging, and sleeping in strange positions. Although there was a change in patients who grind in their sleep, limited data prevented statistical analysis.

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