Efficacy of Various Laser Wavelengths in the Surgical Treatment of Ankyloglossia: A Systematic Review

LASER as a tool for surface modification of dental biomaterials: A review

In recent years, the application of lasers for modifying the surface topography of dental biomaterials has received increased attention. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the current status on the utilization of lasers as a potential tool for surface modification of dental biomaterials such as implants, ceramics, and other materials used for restorative purposes. A literature search was done for articles related to the use of lasers for surface modification of dental biomaterials in English language published between October 2000 and March 2023 in Scopus, Pubmed and web of science, and relevant articles were reviewed. Lasers have been mainly used for surface modification of implant materials (71%), especially titanium and its alloys, to promote osseointegration. In recent years, laser texturing has also emerged as a promising technique to reduce bacterial adhesion on titanium implant surfaces. Currently, lasers are being widely used for surface modifications to improve osseointegration and reduce peri-implant inflammation of ceramic implants and to enhance the retention of ceramic restorations to the tooth. The studies considered in this review seem to suggest laser texturing to be more proficient than the conventional methods of surface modification. Lasers can alter the surface characteristics of dental biomaterials by creating innovative surface patterns without significantly affecting their bulk properties. With advances in laser technology and availability of newer wavelengths and modes, laser as a tool for surface modification of dental biomaterials is a promising field, with excellent potential for future research.

[Lingual frenectomy with ND:YAG laser. case report]

Ankyloglossia is considered a congenital patology, whose treatment indicated is a frenectomy, this surgical technique consists in remove the tissue that joins the tongue with the floor mouth. This technique allows the patient a considerable improvement to limitations caused by this anomaly such as difficulties in suction, pronunciation, chewing and difficulty in touching the lower lip with the tip of the tongue. Currently the use of laser technology and its benefits in modern dentistry, allows the realization of surgical procedures free of bleeding, with very little pain and inflammation of the tissues and with a recovery time much lower than necessary with conventional techniques. The present clinical case, show a 12-year-old patient with severe ankyloglossia, lingual frenectomy was indicated. A contact Nd: YAG laser was used, achieving a surgical intervention with little pain, free bleeding and without suture.

Does Frenotomy Modify Upper Airway Collapse in OSA Adult Patients? Case Report and Systematic Review

Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) is a condition of the oral cavity in which an abnormally short lingual frenulum affects the tongue's mobility. Literature on the correlation between ankyloglossia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is scarce. The main objective of this study was to report our preliminary experience in adult OSA patients before and after ankyloglossia treatment, using drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) to evaluate the upper airway modifications resulting after treatment, and to present a systematic review of the impact of ankyloglossia and its treatment on OSA adults. We found that, after frenotomy, regarding the DISE findings, and according to the VOTE classification, two of the three patients showed an improvement in tongue level, from 2A-P (complete anteroposterior collapse) to 1ap (partial anteroposterior collapse). The third patient showed no changes in his UA after frenotomy, neither worsening nor showing improvement. Thus, the results of this study suggest that frenotomy in OSA patients with ankyloglossia could reduce tongue collapse, probably by allowing the tongue to take into the physiological position in the oral cavity. These patients should undergo speech therapy and oropharyngeal exercises prior to any surgical procedure, in order to avoid glossoptosis and to improve the quality of life and sleep apnea results.