DANB General Chairside Practice Test

What procedure is performed for a patient who is "tongue-tied"?

1. Gingivectomy

2. Frenectomy

3. Biopsy

4. Tooth extraction

The correct answer is: Frenectomy

A frenectomy is the appropriate procedure for a patient who is described as "tongue-tied," a condition medically known as ankyloglossia. This condition occurs when the lingual frenulum, the band of tissue connecting the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is too tight or short, restricting the movement of the tongue. A frenectomy involves surgically releasing this frenulum to allow for greater tongue mobility, alleviating potential difficulties with speaking, eating, or oral hygiene. In contrast, the other procedures listed do not address the specific issue related to being tongue-tied. For instance, a gingivectomy is a surgical procedure to remove gum tissue, typically performed for periodontal disease, and is unrelated to the tongue's mobility. A biopsy involves the removal of tissue for pathological examination, which also does not pertain to the frenulum issue. Tooth extraction refers to the removal of a tooth and similarly does not connect with the concerns surrounding ankyloglossia. Thus, the frenectomy directly targets the anatomical restriction affecting patients who are tongue-tied.