The lingual frenulum, ankyloglossia, and breastfeeding. / Frenillo lingual, anquiloglosia y lactancia materna.

Between 1997 and 2012, the diagnoses of ankyloglossia and the indication for frenotomy increased by ˃800%. About 38% of diagnosed cases are surgically treated. Breastfeeding promotion includes evaluating maternal hereditary and personal history of breastfeeding, breast structure, endocrinological physiology, emotional well-being of the mother, breastfeeding technique, quality and quantity of milk, and the newborn's ability to latch on and suckle. Frenotomy would be indicated when restriction of tongue function causes difficulties that have not resolved after thorough evaluation and counseling to correct other causes. Frenotomy can have complications: feeding and respiratory difficulties, pain, weight loss, vascular or nerve damage, and delayed diagnosis of other underlying pathologies. It does not always solve breastfeeding difficulties. Interdisciplinary teamwork reduces the frequency of unnecessary frenotomies.

Entre 1997 y 2012 los diagnósticos de anquiloglosia y la indicación de frenotomía aumentaron ˃800 %. Alrededor del 38 % de los casos diagnosticados son intervenidos quirúrgicamente. La promoción de la lactancia materna incluye la evaluación de antecedentes hereditarios y personales maternos de lactancia, estructura mamaria, fisiología endocrinológica, equilibrio emocional de la madre, técnica de amamantamiento, calidad y cantidad de leche, capacidad del recién nacido de prenderse y succionar. La frenotomía estaría indicada cuando la restricción de la función lingual provoca dificultades que no se han resuelto luego de una evaluación exhaustiva y del asesoramiento para corregir otras causas encontradas. Las frenotomía puede tener complicaciones: problemas en la alimentación, respiratorios, dolor, pérdida de peso, daños vasculares o nerviosos, y retraso en el diagnóstico de otras patologías subyacentes. No siempre soluciona las dificultades de la lactancia. El trabajo en equipo interdisciplinario disminuye la frecuencia de las frenotomías innecesarias.

Preventive medicine in OSA-A systematic review and a call to action.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the modifiable risk factors associated with OSA and analyze extant publications solely focused on prevention of the disease. METHODS: Studies focused on prevention strategies for OSA and modifiable risk factors were eligible for inclusion. A detailed individual search strategy for each of the following bibliographic databases was developed: Cochrane, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed and LILACS. The references cited in these articles were also crosschecked and a partial grey literature search was undertaken using Google Scholar. The methodology of selected studies was evaluated using the 14-item Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies. RESULTS: Search resulted in 720 publications examining risk factors and prevention of OSA, as well as lifestyle modifications. Of these, a thorough assessment of the abstracts and content of each of these manuscripts led to the rejection of all but four papers, the latter being included in this systematic review. In contrast, a search regarding 'Therapeutics' showed that 23,674 articles on OSA were published, clearly illustrating the imbalance between the efforts in prevention and those focused on therapeutics. CONCLUSIONS: Notwithstanding the importance and benefits of technological advances in medicine, consideration of the needs of people with OSA and its consequences prompts advocacy for the prevention of the disease. Thus, despite the economic interests that focus only on diagnosis and treatment, strategies preferentially aimed at overall avoidance of OSA emerge as a major priority. Thus, public and healthcare provider education, multidimensional prevention, and early diagnosis of OSA should be encouraged worldwide.

Relationship of ankyloglossia and obstructive sleep apnea: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Recent studies have highlighted the potential role of a short lingual frenulum as a risk factor for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. A shortened frenulum may contribute to abnormal orofacial development, leading to increased upper airway resistance and susceptibility to upper airway collapsibility during sleep. Recognizing early indicators, such as a short lingual frenulum, is crucial for prompt intervention. This systematic review aims to evaluate the association between a short lingual frenulum and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children. METHODS: This systematic review adheres to PRISMA criteria for a quantitative analysis. A comprehensive search was conducted on five databases until January 2024 to identify relevant studies. The selected articles underwent rigorous analysis, considering study design, sample characteristics, lingual frenulum characterization, sleep assessment methods, and key findings. RESULTS: A total of 239 references were initially identified. Finally, six studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, with four studies eligible for the quantitative synthesis. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was employed to assess study quality. Meta-analysis, supported by a moderate evidence profile according to the GRADE scale, revealed statistically significant differences, with odds ratios of 3.051 (confidence interval: 1.939 to 4.801) for a short frenulum and 12.304 (confidence interval: 6.141 to 24.653) for a high-arched palate. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence supporting the association between ankyloglossia and obstructive sleep apnea in children. Nevertheless, it is crucial to consider additional factors such as tongue mobility and the presence of a high-arched palate in further evaluations.

Ankyloglossia and Breastfeeding Duration: A Multicenter Birth Cohort Study.

Background and Objective: The prevalence of ankyloglossia and its impact on breastfeeding practices may be overestimated, leading to surgical overtreatment in newborns. The study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of ankyloglossia in the first year of life and investigate the association with exclusive and total breastfeeding duration in different regions of Brazil. Materials and Methods: This multicenter prospective cohort study involved the recruitment of mother-infant pairs soon after childbirth in public hospitals in three state capitals in Brazil. Interviews were held with the mothers after birth, at 6 and 12 months to collect sociodemographic variables and data on exclusive and total breastfeeding duration. At 12 months of age, the children were submitted to a dental examination for classification of the lingual frenulum using the Bristol Tongue Assessment Tool. Data analysis involved Poisson regression with robust variance, with the calculation of unadjusted and adjusted relative risk (RR). Results: The final sample was composed of 293 children. The prevalence of defined and suspected ankyloglossia was 1% and 4.8%, respectively, totaling 5.8% (confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.1-8.5). No significant difference was found in the prevalence of exclusive and total breastfeeding at 1, 4, and 6 months between children with defined/suspected ankyloglossia and those without ankyloglossia. The multivariable analysis showed that the probability of the child achieving 6 months of breastfeeding did not differ between groups (RR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.79-1.23; p = 0.907). Conclusion: The prevalence of defined ankyloglossia was very low and defined/suspected ankyloglossia was not associated with exclusive or total breastfeeding duration. Clinical Trial Registration: Registered with clinicaltrials.gov (n° NCT03841123).

Ankyloglossia as a Barrier to Breastfeeding: A Literature Review.

This is a literature review of ankyloglossia and its correlation with lactation problems. Ankyloglossia, commonly referred to as tongue-tie, brings about functional difficulties and, in some cases, may lead to early weaning. It is crucial to use breastfeeding as the exclusive food source for the first six months of an infant's life, and the interference of the tongue contributes substantially to success in this regard. Even though there are many publications about ankyloglossia, there are still many controversies about its definition, diagnosis, classification, and treatment decision determined via frenotomy. Some researchers state that the identification of ankyloglossia should be based on morphological and anatomical evidence, while others claim that a short or tight frenulum should be examined in correlation with the impact on the mother-infant dyad during breastfeeding. By encouraging and supporting mothers in coping with feeding difficulties, their lactation experiences are improved, and they can continue breastfeeding.

Manejo odontológico del paciente con frenillo lingual corto: a propósito de un caso / Dental management of the patient with short lingual frenulum: a case report

Introducción: El frenillo lingual corto puede provocar dificultades en la lactancia durante los primeros meses de vida en el neonato. A partir del desarrollo del lenguaje puede ser la causa de una fonética inadecuada. El tratamiento quirúrgico del frenillo debe ir acompañado por un adecuado tratamiento multidisciplinar para favorecer la corrección de las dificultades en la pronunciación. El objetivo del presente artículo es presentar un caso clínico representativo del diagnóstico, tratamiento quirúrgico y rehabilitación miofuncional del frenillo lingual corto, así como analizar la evidencia científica disponible. Caso clínico: Se presenta un paciente varón de 6 años diagnosticado de anquiloglosia severa que acude por dificultad en la pronunciación del fonema “RR”. Se realiza el tratamiento quirúrgico del frenillo mediante electrobisturí y su seguimiento por un logopeda. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico de la patología y la planificación quirúrgica y miofuncional deben tener en cuenta la clasificación del frenillo, la edad del paciente y la anatomía de la región. El tratamiento de la patología asociada al frenillo lingual corto requiere de un equipo multidisciplinar para evitar la recidiva. (AU)

Introduction: The short lingual frenulum can cause breastfeeding difficulties during the first months of life in the neonate. From language development they can be the cause of inadequate phonetics. Surgical treatment of the frenulum must be accompanied by adequate multidisciplinary treatment to improve the correction of pronunciation difficulties. The objective of this article is to present a representative clinical case of the diagnosis, surgical treatment and myofunctional rehabilitation of the short lingual frenulum, as well as to update the available scientific evidence. Case Report: A 6-year-old male patient is presented, diagnosed with severe ankyloglossia who came due to difficulty in pronouncing the phoneme “RR”. Surgical treatment of the frenulum was performed using electrocautery and its follow-up by a speech therapist. Conclusions: The diagnosis of the pathology and the surgical and myofunctional planning must take into account the classification of the frenulum, the age of the patient and the anatomy of the region. The treatment of the pathology associated with short lingual frenulum requires a multidisciplinary team to avoid recurrence. (AU)

Manejo odontológico del paciente con frenillo lingual corto: a propósito de un caso / Dental management of the patient with short lingual frenulum: a case report

Introducción: El frenillo lingual corto puede provocar dificultades en la lactancia durante los primeros meses de vida en el neonato. A partir del desarrollo del lenguaje puede ser la causa de una fonética inadecuada. El tratamiento quirúrgico del frenillo debe ir acompañado por un adecuado tratamiento multidisciplinar para favorecer la corrección de las dificultades en la pronunciación. El objetivo del presente artículo es presentar un caso clínico representativo del diagnóstico, tratamiento quirúrgico y rehabilitación miofuncional del frenillo lingual corto, así como analizar la evidencia científica disponible. Caso clínico: Se presenta un paciente varón de 6 años diagnosticado de anquiloglosia severa que acude por dificultad en la pronunciación del fonema “RR”. Se realiza el tratamiento quirúrgico del frenillo mediante electrobisturí y su seguimiento por un logopeda. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico de la patología y la planificación quirúrgica y miofuncional deben tener en cuenta la clasificación del frenillo, la edad del paciente y la anatomía de la región. El tratamiento de la patología asociada al frenillo lingual corto requiere de un equipo multidisciplinar para evitar la recidiva. (AU)

Introduction: The short lingual frenulum can cause breastfeeding difficulties during the first months of life in the neonate. From language development they can be the cause of inadequate phonetics. Surgical treatment of the frenulum must be accompanied by adequate multidisciplinary treatment to improve the correction of pronunciation difficulties. The objective of this article is to present a representative clinical case of the diagnosis, surgical treatment and myofunctional rehabilitation of the short lingual frenulum, as well as to update the available scientific evidence. Case Report: A 6-year-old male patient is presented, diagnosed with severe ankyloglossia who came due to difficulty in pronouncing the phoneme “RR”. Surgical treatment of the frenulum was performed using electrocautery and its follow-up by a speech therapist. Conclusions: The diagnosis of the pathology and the surgical and myofunctional planning must take into account the classification of the frenulum, the age of the patient and the anatomy of the region. The treatment of the pathology associated with short lingual frenulum requires a multidisciplinary team to avoid recurrence. (AU)

Treatment of Ankyloglossia: A Review.

AIM: The aim of this narrative review is to analyze and compare the current scientific evidence regarding the diagnosis and treatment of hypertrophic lingual frenulum in preschool and school-age children. The treatments considered in this review are traditional surgical therapy, laser-assisted surgical therapy, and functional rehabilitation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed and PubMed Central search engines, considering articles published in the English language between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2022. The bibliographic search was performed using the following keywords as search strings: "lingual", "frenulectomy", "frenulotomy", "frenulum", "ankyloglossia", and "laser." RESULTS: A total of 14 articles were included in this review, including four prospective observational studies, one case-control study, three cross-sectional studies, four retrospective studies, and one randomized controlled trial. The data extracted from each article are summarized in a table. CONCLUSIONS: In the literature, there are still limited studies regarding the treatment of hypertrophic frenulum. No common indications for the treatment of ankyloglossia and universally used classification for lingual frenulum were found. Currently, clinicians prefer the use of a diode laser for treatment. This method offers several advantages over the use of a scalpel blade. Many studies agree on the usefulness of providing patients with myofunctional rehabilitation to improve lingual mobility, both prior to surgical therapy and in the postoperative period.

Lingual frenulum length: A prospecting link to craniofacial morphology in adults.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of the length of the lingual frenulum with the craniofacial morphology in adults. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The study comprised a total of 144 subjects, aged 18 to 28 years, divided into 3 groups (48 in each group), based on ANB angle i.e., Skeletal Class I, Skeletal Class II & Skeletal Class III. To measure the length of the lingual frenulum direct and indirect methods were used. A Lingual frenulum ruler was used for direct measurement and the differences between the maximum mouth opening reduction (MMOR) with and without the tip of the tongue touching the incisive papilla measurement were taken for the indirect method. A lateral cephalogram was collected from each subject and a cephalometric analysis was done to assess craniofacial morphology. Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA and the significance of the mean difference between (inter) the groups was done by Tukey's HSD (honestly significant difference) post hoc test after ascertaining normality by Shapiro-Wilk's test and homogeneity of variance between groups by Levene's test. RESULTS: The lingual frenulum length and maximum mouth opening reduction were significantly increased in the Skeletal Class III subjects with a statistically significant value of P < 0.001 when compared with the Skeletal Class I and Skeletal Class II subjects. CONCLUSION: A balance in the teeth positioning is maintained by orofacial musculature and any disturbance which occurs in this, results in malocclusion. Malocclusion can result in a long lingual frenulum that pushes the mandibular anterior forwards. Hence, the malocclusion and lingual frenulum length relationship are essential to eliminate the erratic forces and to attain excellent results, following the elimination of malocclusion.

An Absent Lingual Frenulum in a Non-syndromic Premature Infant.

The lingual frenulum (LF) is a fold of tissue that connects the tongue to the oral cavity's floor. Abnormal frenula are associated with speech alterations. The absence of the LF is associated with Ehler's Danlos syndrome (EDS). In this case report, we present a premature infant incidentally found to have an absent lingual frenulum, with recurrent desaturations during feeding. The desaturations were believed to be due to the absent lingual frenulum, but they resolved after one month without treatment and were then attributed to apnea of prematurity. Whole exome sequence showed no genetic disorders. The infant is now doing well with no interventions. An absent lingual frenulum warrants molecular genetic testing for EDS. However, it does not warrant any treatment; special considerations are only required during intubation.

Frenillo lingual corto: resultados de una intervención para mejorar la continuidad asistencial / Short lingual frenulum: results of an intervention to improve continuity of care

Introducción: la discrepancia entre los criterios de derivación de pacientes con diagnóstico de frenillo lingual corto/anquiloglosia (FLC/A) a la consulta de cirugía plástica infantil desde Atención Primaria (AP) y los criterios propuestos por parte de los profesionales de la unidad para la realización de frenotomía lingual motivó la creación de un tríptico informativo sobre la patología para intentar homogeneizar la actuación entre niveles asistenciales. El objetivo principal del trabajo consiste en analizar el impacto de la intervención en las derivaciones de estos pacientes a atención especializada (AE). Material y métodos: redacción y divulgación de la información entre los profesionales de AP adscritos al área de salud de nuestro hospital. Análisis retrospectivo de las derivaciones a AE y de la actuación llevada a cabo en consulta en los 2 años previos al envío de la información. Análisis prospectivo de las consultas atendidas en el año posterior a la difusión del tríptico. Comparación de ambos periodos. Resultados: se analizaron 874 consultas; de ellas, el 59,6% se realizó previa difusión del tríptico. Las derivaciones se ajustaron a los criterios propuestos por la UCPI (Unidad de Cirugía Plástica Infantil) en un 61,9% de los casos, observándose una reducción significativa en los pacientes mal derivados entre ambos periodos de tiempo (41,8% vs. 32,6%). Se comprobó una disminución estadísticamente significativa en el número de pacientes derivados sin un problema funcional claro asociado al FLC (34,4% vs. 23,3%). Conclusiones: la difusión de un tríptico informativo sobre FLC/A ha demostrado ajustar las derivaciones hechas desde AP a los criterios propuestos para frenotomía lingual en la UCPI de nuestro hospital (AU)

Introduction: we created an informative triptych about short lingual frenulum/ ankyloglossia (SLF/A) to avoid discrepancy in the referral criteria of patients to the pediatric plastic surgery consultation from primary care (PC). The main objective is to analyze the impact of this intervention on the referrals to specialized care (SC).Material and methods: the information was sent to the primary care professionals attached to the health area of our hospital. We performed a retrospective analysis of the referrals to SC in the 2 years prior sending the information. We compared these results with the prospective analysis of the consultations attended in the year after sending the triptych.Results: we analyzed 874 consultations. 59.6% of them were attended prior sending the information. 61.9% of the referrals adjusted to the proposed criteria for lingual frenotomy, observing a significant reduction in the wrongly referred patients between the compared periods of time (41.8% vs 32.6%). We also found a significant reduction in the number of patients with no functional problem associated to the SLF (34.4% vs 23.3%).Conclusions: our informative triptych about SLF/ ankyloglossia has adjusted referrals from PC to the proposed criteria for lingual frenotomy in our hospital. (AU)

Ankyloglossia in Central Australia: Prevalence, identification and management in infants.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and management of ankyloglossia for infants in Central Australia. METHOD: Retrospective chart review consisting of a medical file audit of infants (n = 493) <2 years old diagnosed with ankyloglossia from January 2013 to December 2018 in the primary hospital in Central Australia. Patient characteristics, reason for diagnosis, reason for procedure and outcomes of procedures routinely recorded in the patient clinical files were recorded. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of ankyloglossia in this population was 10.2%. Frenotomy was performed in 97.9% of infants diagnosed with ankyloglossia. Infants with ankyloglossia were more likely to be male (58% vs 42%), diagnosed and managed with a frenotomy on the third day of life. Most ankyloglossia diagnoses were identified by a midwife (>92%). Most frenotomy procedures were completed by lactation consultants who were also midwives (99%) using blunt-ended scissors. More infants were classified with posterior ankyloglossia than anterior ankyloglossia (23% vs 15%). A frenotomy procedure resolved feeding issues in 54% of infants with ankyloglossia. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ankyloglossia and rate of frenotomy procedures were high when compared to previous reports in the general population. Frenotomy for ankyloglossia in infants with breastfeeding difficulties was found to be effective in more than half of the reported sample, improving breastfeeding and decreasing maternal nipple pain. A standardised approach and validated screening or comprehensive assessment tool for the identification of ankyloglossia is indicated. Guidelines and training for relevant health professionals on non-surgical management of the functional limitations of ankyloglossia are also recommended.

Atmospheric Plasma Lingual Frenectomy Followed by Post Operative Tongue Exercises: A Case Series.

The lingual frenulum is a submucosal component significantly involved in the mobility of the tongue. In the case of short lingual frenulum, different surgical approaches have been proposed. Atmospheric plasma is a thermal technique of vaporization or sublimation of the superficial tissues, without going deep, and the resulting fine carbonized layer avoids bleeding. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of atmospheric plasma (voltaic arc dermabrasion) for the frenectomy of a short lingual frenulum. A total of 30 patients with an age range between 6−11 years old and a class III/IV Kotlow's ankyloglossia classification were included in the study. The Kotlow's free-tongue, maximal interincisal mouth opening (MIO, mm) and interincisal mouth opening with tongue tip to maxillary incisive papillae at roof of mouth (MOTTIP, mm) were calculated at the baseline, immediately postoperatively (T0), at one week (T1), one month (T2) and two months (T3). A significant increase of Kotlow's measurements, MOTTIP and MIO were detected when comparing the baseline and the T0 (p < 0.05). No significant difference was detected between the T0, T1 and T2 (p > 0.05). The atmospheric plasma demonstrated a very minimal invasive approach for frenectomy, without important or fibrotic complications and with very low recurrence rates.

Grouping of Ankyloglossia According to Coryllos Anatomical Classification and Follow-Up Results for Breastfeeding: Single-Center, Cross-Sectional Study.

Ankyloglossia is a condition of limited tongue mobility caused by a short lingual frenulum. The diagnosis and treatment of ankyloglossia are still controversial. The main clinical problems encountered during breastfeeding are difficulty in sucking and its clinical reflections. This study aims to evaluate the infant population born with ankyloglossia and to determine the results of frenotomy. We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study among infants born in a tertiary hospital. We included all infants born between 1 January and 30 June 2022. The neonatal follow-up protocol for ankyloglossia was determined before the defined dates, and data were recorded during the screening period. The recorded data were retrospectively collected from the files. Within six months, 705 infants were born. Due to additional problems and other conditions that prevent breastfeeding, evaluable data of 207 (29.3%) infants could not be provided. Of the remaining 498 infants, 234 (33.2%) had ankyloglossia. While none of the infants without ankyloglossia had a breastfeeding problem after appropriate training, 28.6% of the ankyloglossia group had a breastfeeding problem (p < 0.001). The need for frenotomy differed significantly between Coryllos groups (p < 0.001). Breastfeeding was unsuccessful before frenotomy in 12 Coryllos type-1 patients, and all had difficulty in sucking. Frenotomy was performed within the three-month follow-up period in all patients with complaints of inability to firmly grasp the breast, nipple slipping from the mouth, and nipple biting during the first 24 h. In terms of breastfeeding problems, regardless of the anatomical typology, frenotomy can be performed safely in early life with successful results. If deficiencies or difficulties in breastfeeding are noticed in ankyloglossia patients even at the first control, frenotomy should be recommended in clinical conditions.

Prevalence of ankyloglossia according to different assessment tools: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of ankyloglossia may vary depending on the assessment tool. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the prevalence of ankyloglossia in distinct age groups according to different assessment tools. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: Nine electronic databases were searched from inception through November 2021 without restrictions of language or year of publication. Paired independent reviewers selected cross-sectional and cohort studies reporting the diagnosis of ankyloglossia, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. The number of patients with ankyloglossia and the sample were extracted to calculate the overall prevalence of ankyloglossia and 95% CI. The authors calculated the prevalence of ankyloglossia per assessment tool, age group, and sex. They assessed the certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: Seventy-one studies were included. Seven different diagnostic tools were used. The overall prevalence of ankyloglossia was 5% (95% CI, 4.0% to 5.0%) and ranged from 2% (using an unspecific tool) to 20% (Coryllos classification). The prevalence per age group was higher in infants (7%). The prevalence ratio was 1.34 (95% CI, 1.17 to 1.54) for boys, with very low certainty of evidence. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The prevalence of ankyloglossia is higher among infants and differs depending on the assessment tool used for the diagnosis. It is uncertain whether boys are more affected by ankyloglossia than girls.

Effectiveness of Myofunctional Therapy in Ankyloglossia: A Systematic Review.

Ankyloglossia is a pathology of the tongue in which the frenulum appears anchored to the floor of the mouth. The treatment of choice for this pathology is frenectomy, but myofunctional therapy is emerging in recent years as a complement to surgical intervention. This systematic review aims to synthesize the scientific evidence and assess its quality regarding the use of myofunctional therapy in ankyloglossia. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched. Study quality was determined using the PEDro scale, STROBE statement and single-case experimental design scale. Eleven studies were selected. Based on the studies included in this review, surgery is more effective than myofunctional therapy, although better results are achieved if both are combined. Improvements have been found in maternal pain, weight gain of babies, duration of breastfeeding, tongue mobility, strength and endurance, sleep apnea, mouth breathing and snoring, quality of life, clenching teeth, myofascial tension, pain after surgery and speech sound production. These findings must be taken with caution because of the small number of articles and their quality. Future clinical trials using larger sample sizes and with higher methodological quality are needed.

Tongue-tie and breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of maternal breastfeeding and maternal pain pre- and post-lingual frenulum release procedures in infants with ankyloglossia. METHODS: Infants under 4 months of age with tongue-tie who were actively breastfeeding, and their mothers (mother-infant dyads) were recruited. Infants' ankyloglossia severity was evaluated using the Coryllos® ankyloglossia tongue-tie grading scale. Each mother completed a pre-procedure questionnaire where breastfeeding efficiency was evaluated using the LATCH® criteria. Each mother also reported a numeric score of pain with feeding, breastfeeding time, and a perceived feeding efficiency score. After the tongue-tie release procedure, each mother completed a post-procedure questionnaire within a 1-week to 1-month window to assess the change in breastfeeding efficiency using the LATCH® criteria, breastfeeding pain, breastfeeding time, and perceived breastfeeding efficiency. RESULTS: 41 mother-infant dyads participated in the study. No surgical complications occurred during or post-procedure. All dyads reported improved (40) or equal (1) LATCH® scores: with a mean improved LATCH® score of 3.2 points (p < 4^10-15, 95% CI 2.6, 3.7.). The mean improved maternal perception of feeding was 3.3 points (p < 6^10-10,95% CI 2.6, 4.0.), the mean decreased maternal pain was 4.0 points (p < 1^10-14, 95% CI 3.3, 4.8), and the mean decreased maternal feeding time was 0.80 points (p = 0.002, 95% CI 0.5, 1.1.). CONCLUSION: Lingual frenulum release procedures appear to consistently improve breastfeeding efficiency and decrease maternal pain.

Relationship between short lingual frenulum and malocclusion. A multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: Ankyloglossia is characterized by an abnormally short lingual frenulum, which impairs tongue movement. Ankyloglossia has been related to craniofacial growth disturbances and dental malocclusion. But even though there is a clear biological plausibility for this hypothesis, available evidence is scarce. METHODS: A case-control design was followed. Patients between 4 and 14 years old were routinely screened for short lingual frenulum and recruited from the pediatric Otolaryngology consultation of 3 Spanish tertiary referral hospitals. Lingual frenulum was assessed with the Marchesan system. A cohort of cases with short lingual frenulum and a cohort of healthy controls matched for sex and age were included. Both cases and controls had pictures of occlusion. Occlusion was evaluated by an expert in orthodontics, blinded for the frenulum assessment. RESULTS: A total of 100 participants were included, 70 males and 30 females. The proportion of malocclusion in the short lingual frenulum group was 48%, while it was 24% in the normal frenulum group. The odds ratio of malocclusion for the short lingual frenulum patients was 2.92 (CI 95% 1.15-7.56). The difference was statistically significant (p=.012). This difference was significant for patients with class III occlusion (p=.029). There was no difference for patients with class II (p=.317). CONCLUSIONS: This work supports the hypothesis that relates class III malocclusion with a short lingual frenulum.

Relationship between short lingual frenulum and malocclusion. A multicentre study

Objective: Ankyloglossia is characterized by an abnormally short lingual frenulum, which impairs tongue movement. Ankyloglossia has been related to craniofacial growth disturbances and dental malocclusion. But even though there is a clear biological plausibility for this hypothesis, available evidence is scarce. Methods: A case–control design was followed. Patients between 4 and 14 years old were routinely screened for short lingual frenulum and recruited from the pediatric Otolaryngology consultation of 3 Spanish tertiary referral hospitals. Lingual frenulum was assessed with the Marchesan system. A cohort of cases with short lingual frenulum and a cohort of healthy controls matched for sex and age were included. Both cases and controls had pictures of occlusion. Occlusion was evaluated by an expert in orthodontics, blinded for the frenulum assessment. Results: A total of 100 participants were included, 70 males and 30 females. The proportion of malocclusion in the short lingual frenulum group was 48%, while it was 24% in the normal frenulum group. The odds ratio of malocclusion for the short lingual frenulum patients was 2.92 (CI 95% 1.15–7.56). The difference was statistically significant (p=.012). This difference was significant for patients with class III occlusion (p=.029). There was no difference for patients with class II (p=.317). Conclusions: This work supports the hypothesis that relates class III malocclusion with a short lingual frenulum.(AU)

Objetivo: La anquiloglosia se caracteriza por un frenillo lingual anormalmente corto que dificulta la movilidad de la lengua. La anquiloglosia ha sido relacionada con alteraciones del desarrollo facial y maloclusión dentaria. Sin embargo, a pesar de una clara plausibilidad biológica para esta hipótesis, la evidencia disponible es escasa. Métodos: Siguiendo un diseño de casos y controles se incluyeron pacientes entre 4-14 años atendidos en las consultas de otorrinolaringología pediátrica de 3 hospitales de tercer nivel en España. El frenillo lingual se evaluó mediante el sistema de Marchesan. Se incluyó una cohorte de casos con frenillo lingual corto, y una cohorte de controles sanos apareados por sexo y edad. A todos los participantes se les tomó fotografía dentaria en oclusión. La oclusión se evaluó mediante un odontólogo experto en ortodoncia, ciego a la evaluación del frenillo lingual. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 100 participantes, 70 hombres y 30 mujeres. La proporción de maloclusión en la cohorte con frenillo lingual corto fue del 48% y del 24% en la cohorte de controles. La odds ratio de maloclusión fue 2,92 (IC 95%: 1,15-7,56). La diferencia entre grupos fue estadísticamente significativa (p=0,012). Por subgrupos, la diferencia fue estadísticamente significativa para los pacientes con maloclusión clase iii (p=0,029), pero no para aquellos con maloclusión clase ii (p=0,317). Conclusiones: Este trabajo apoya la hipótesis que relaciona la maloclusión de clase iii con el frenillo lingual corto.(AU)

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

Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, is the most common disorder of tongue morphology characterized by aberrant attachment of the lingual frenum. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive literature review and evaluate the effectiveness of various laser wavelengths in the surgical treatment of patients with ankyloglossia. An electronic screening of PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases was conducted on 8 November 2021. The following search terms were used to review the available data on the subject of interest: (ankyloglossia OR tongue tie OR short lingual frenulum OR lingual frenectomy OR lingual frenulectomy OR lingual frenotomy OR lingual frenulotomy) AND laser. The use of lasers in ankyloglossia treatment resulted in shorter procedure time, reduced indications for general anesthesia, reduced administration of postoperative analgesics, fewer sutures or none needed, reduced postoperative bleeding, and improved healing. Despite many advantages, this method has its clinical limitations: it requires the use of expensive equipment; well-trained personnel familiar with lasers; and personal protective equipment for the patient, caregiver, operator, and assistant. The laser procedure does not eliminate the need for myofunctional exercises and work with a speech therapist.