Jina Lee, a graduate student in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Dental Hospital, recently received the Outstanding Oral Presentation Award at the 2025 Autumn Scientific Meeting of the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry for her study, "A Study on Changes in Tongue Function and Sleep-Related Symptoms Before and After Frenectomy in Children With Ankyloglossia."

This paper targeted children with ankyloglossia who visited the JBNU Dental Hospital between March 2022 and September 2025. It objectively measured tongue function before and after frenectomy using objective measures, and quantitatively evaluated changes in sleep-disordered breathing symptoms through surveys.

The study found significant improvements in functional measures such as tongue mobility and tongue pressure, and sleep-related symptoms also tended to improve.

Accordingly, the importance of integrated management combining surgery and Myofunctional therapy in treating children with ankyloglossia was emphasized. This suggests that such an approach may contribute to evidence-based treatment planning grounded in functional measures.

Graduate student Jina Lee said, "This study is among the first in Korea to quantitatively analyze pre- and post-operative changes in children with ankyloglossia in terms of functional measures and sleep symptoms. We were able to confirm that integrated management combining surgery and Myofunctional therapy can have a positive effect on the recovery of oral function and children's growth and development." She added, "I will continue research to improve children's growth and oral function."

Meanwhile, the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is a leading academic society in Korea for pediatric dental specialists and researchers. It shares the latest research findings and promotes academic development through annual spring and autumn scientific meetings.