Influence of Shortened Tongue Frenulum on Tongue Mobility, Speech and Occlusion

(1) Background: The incidence of ankyloglossia is 0.02-10.7%. Its effect on selected dysfunctions has been described; however, no studies report its impact on several disorders in a group of subjects. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of ankyloglossia on swallowing, speech, occlusion and periodontium. (2) Methods: The study group consisted of 86 patients with ankyloglossia, and the control group (n = 86) had a normal tongue frenulum. Type of swallowing, tongue mobility, speech, occlusion and periodontium were assessed. (3) Results: Ankyloglossia pertained to 75.6% patients with infantile swallowing and 41.3% patients with mature swallowing. Limited tongue mobility was found in 29.4% subjects with moderate ankyloglossia and 70.6% subjects with severe ankyloglossia. All subjects with mild ankyloglossia and all the controls had normal tongue mobility. The relationship between dysglossia and ankyloglossia severity was statistically significant. Malocclusion or crowding was diagnosed in 62% subjects with ankyloglossia and 21.6% subjects in the control group. No periodontal abnormalities were found in any subject. (4) Conclusions: (1) A short tongue frenulum negatively influences swallowing and is associated with an "infantile swallowing pattern". (2) Moderate or severe ankyloglossia significantly limits tongue mobility. (3) A short tongue frenulum negatively influences speech. (4) Ankyloglossia is associated with higher prevalence of malocclusion.