Ankyloglossia as an interdisciplinary problem

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the work is to present the current interdisciplinary knowledge on ankyloglossia and to initiate an interdisciplinary discussion in order to develop an algorithm of treatment. Material and methods: The chairman of the Pediatric Otolaryngology Section at the Polish Society of ENT (ear, nose, and throat) appointed a working group of interdisciplinary experts of ankyloglossia in order to develop standards of treatment in children with a short lingual frenulum. This publication is a summary of speeches of participants of the meeting. Results: The study presents the position on ankyloglossia in the fields of laryngology, neonatology, neurologopedia, dentistry, orthodontics and pediatrics. All authors unanimously emphasize the lack of sufficient, reliable research and clear guidelines on this topic. The basic issue regarding ankyloglossia is problems with maternal breast sucking, which often require frenotomy already in the neonatal ward. Doubtful cases are referred for more extensive diagnostics. Consultation with a neurologist along with myofunctional assessment of the tongue is crucial. Ankyloglossia can also make it difficult to expand the diet in small children, causing problems with swallowing and oral hygiene. It can also cause malocclusion and speech defects. Conclusions: The interdisciplinary discussion enabled a broader look at the subject of the frenulum of the tongue and enabled the development of an algorithm for dealing with ankyloglossia, which will greatly facilitate the work of doctors, speech therapists and physiotherapists. The authors concluded that 3 groups of patients should be considered separately: neonates and infants, adolescents and adults. Many issues related to the frenulum of the tongue require further research, and knowledge on this subject will certainly evolve. However, it is crucial to develop rules of mutual communication and interdisciplinary cooperation, which may result in further progress in a more thorough understanding of this issue.