Purpose
to assess the anatomical characteristics of lingual frenulum in infants at first, sixth and twelfth months of life and compare the findings to the statements found in the literature.
Methods
video recordings of the lingual frenulum – normal or altered – of 71 infants, from both genders at the first, sixth and twelfth months of life were taken. The recordings were analyzed by two specialists in orofacial motricity who observed the following anatomical aspects: thickness, attachment to the tongue and attachment to the floor of the mouth. The data collected were compared to the literature.
Results
of the 71infants, the lingual frenulum of 51 infants was thin and 20 had thick lingual frenulum. 40 infants had the lingual frenulum attached to the middle of the tongue, 27 had the attachment between the apex and the middle of the tongue, and 4 to the apex. Concerning attachment to the floor of the mouth, the lingual frenulum of 42 infants was attached to the alveolar crest and 29 had the attachment between the sublingual caruncles. The characteristics of the lingual frenulum observed at the first, sixth and twelfth months of life remained the same.
Conclusion
contrary to what has been stated in the literature changes concerning lingual frenulum thickness, attachment to the tongue and to the floor of the mouth were not observed in the 71 infants during the first year of life.
KEYWORDS
: Lingual Frenulum; Anatomy; Tongue
