El papel del odontopediatra en la anquiloglosia

Abstract

Tongue-tie or short sublingual frenulum is a congenital abnormality seen in infants and young children characterized by having an abnormally short lingual frenulum. In most of the cases, this restriction of tongue movement causes breastfeeding difficulties and affects infant feeding. Clinical assessment by the dentist is essential for diagnosis and subsequent treatment. There is some controversy in the treatment of this disease at present. The section of the sublingual frenulum should be used only in children with deglutition disorders and/or sucking difficulties that cause discomfort in the breast and in those cases with a clear limitation of mobility of the tongue. This article aims to describe what the tongue-tie is, the tools to properly diagnose it and the criteria to asses when the dentist must correct a surgical procedure or through conservative treatment (therapeutic exercises).