Assessment of lingual frenulum lengths in skeletal malocclusion.

BACKGROUND The orofacial musculature plays a pivotal role in maintaining a balance in positioning of the teeth and any imbalance which occurs in this , results in malocclusion. Lingual frenum is a soft tissue structure which tethers the ventral surface of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. OBJECTIVE This study was performed to analyze the lingual frenal lengths in skeletal class I, class II and Class III malocclusion and to correlate relationship between both. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study comprised of 30 subjects, with 10 in each group and an impression was made with the maximum mouth opening position and the tip of tongue touching the incisive papilla. The length of the lingual frenum was then measured from the casts. The maximum mouth opening position was also determined by measuring the interincisal distance with the maximum mouth opening position. Statistical analysis was done to analyze the relationship between both. RESULTS The lingual frenum was found to be longest in class III malocclusion, with a statistical significant value of p<0.01. The class II and class I malocclusion did not show much difference. The maximum mouth opening position was also increased in class III malocclusion, followed by class II and class I malocclusion, in a descending order. CONCLUSION The lingual frenum exerts erratic forces and a long lingual frenum pushes the mandibular anteriors forwards, resulting in malocclusion. Hence, a relationship between the lingual frenum and malocclusion is essential, so that the erratic forces can be eliminated and excellent results can be achieved, following the correction of malocclusion.