Relationship between mandibular incisor irregularity and type of occlusion in ankyloglossia.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the lingual frenulum length with mandibular incisor irregularity and type of occlusion in children with ankyloglossia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty children aged between 7 and 12 years with ankyloglossia enrolled in the study. The patients were classified according to Kotlow's classification. Mandibular incisor crowding was measured and the molar relationship was determined. The data were analysed statistically using Fisher's exact test, X2 and Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: Of the 80 patients, 45 (56.3%) had mild, 23 (28.8%) had moderate and 12 (15%) had severe ankyloglossia. Fifty-nine (73.8%) of the patients had mild irregularity, 18 (22.5%) had moderate and 3 (3.8%) had severe irregularity. In 56 (70%) of the patients, Class I occlusion was observed, 17 (21.3%) had Class II and 7 (8.8%) had Class III occlusion. No significant differences were found between types of ankyloglossia with mandibular incisor irregularity and occlusion types. A significant positive correlation was determined between the length of the lingual frenulum length and mandibular incisor irregularity. There were significant positive correlations between the lingual frenulum length, incisor irregularity and age. CONCLUSION: Mild and moderate types of ankyloglossia are unrelated to mandibular incisor crowding and occlusion type.