USE OF LASER IN FRENOTOMY AND FRENECTOMY: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Ankyloglossia is a congenital condition characterized by limited tongue mobility due to alterations in the lingual frenulum, which can compromise oral functions such as sucking, swallowing, and speech, especially in the pediatric population. Surgical treatment, through frenotomy or frenectomy, is frequently indicated when there is functional impairment. In recent years, laser therapy has been used as an alternative to conventional techniques, presenting potential clinical benefits. Objective: To analyze, through the scientific literature, the benefits of laser-assisted frenotomy and frenectomy compared to the conventional technique. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review, conducted in the LILACS, BBO, MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane, and SCOPUS databases, considering publications between 2021 and 2026. Original studies, available in full text, with no language restriction, that directly compared the use of laser with conventional techniques in pediatric patients were included. The methodological quality assessment was performed based on the classification of levels of evidence by Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt (2011). Results: Four studies were included, consisting of three randomized clinical trials and one comparative retrospective study, predominantly conducted in Italy. It was observed that the diode laser was the most frequently used type. The main outcomes evaluated were postoperative pain, intraoperative bleeding, healing, lingual function, and surgical time. Generally, the use of laser was associated with reduced pain in the immediate postoperative period, less intraoperative bleeding, and a decrease in surgical time. Regarding healing and functional outcomes, such as breastfeeding and lingual mobility, no consistent differences were observed between the laser and conventional techniques. Conclusion: Laser-assisted frenotomy and frenectomy constitute an effective and safe alternative to conventional techniques in pediatric patients, with more evident benefits in the immediate postoperative period. However, there is no consistent evidence of laser superiority across all evaluated outcomes, and the choice of technique depends on the clinical characteristics and the operative parameters used.