Impact of Oral Habits and Buccal Frenulum on Gingival Microcirculation in Children: Findings and Clinical Significance

Background. Oral mucosal abnormalities such as abnormal lip frenulum, buccal ankyloglossia are commonly observed in a routine dental practice. The close anatomical and functional relationship between the gingiva alveolar bone determines significance of structures development malocclusions periodontal diseases. habits more prevalent childhood; however, they can persist into adolescence adulthood, potentially leading to dentofacial impairments malocclusions. Therefore, there is growing interest understanding oral blood flow presence structures, their combined effects may have synergistic influence on maxillomandibular anomalies.
 Aim. This study was aimed investigate age-depended parameters gingival microcirculation children with habits, Methods. cross-sectional involved 45 apparently healthy 180 anomalies, divided 3 age groups (ages 9 12, 12 15, 15 17 years). assessed using rheograph DX (Kharkiv, Ukraine) by measuring qualitative characteristics quantitative vascular tone index (VTI), venous outflow (VOI), peripheral resistance (PRI), extensive (EBFI), rheographic (RI). Statistical analysis included Spearman’s correlation, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Dunn’s post-hoc test.
 Results. revealed significantly higher VTI all patient groups, increasing reaching +80.54% oldest group compared respective control group. elevation accompanied moderate correlation enhancing PRI (+4.61% 9-12-year-old +33.42% 15-17-year-old group). Furthermore, VOI exhibited noteworthy age-dependent increase; notable reduction RI (-41.10% -59.70%) EBFI values (-35.54% -37.70% versus -23.97% youngest group).
 Conclusions. demonstrated disturbance children. findings suggest that chronic traumatization due lead increased vasoconstriction impaired vessel elasticity. Early intervention management category patients crucial for preserving optimal microcirculation.