Effectiveness of Myofunctional Therapy in Ankyloglossia: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Ankyloglossia is a pathology of the tongue in which the frenulum appears anchored to the floor of the mouth. The treatment of choice for this pathology is frenectomy, but myofunctional therapy is emerging in recent years as a complement to surgical intervention. This systematic review aims to synthesize the scientific evidence and assess its quality regarding the use of myofunctional therapy in ankyloglossia. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched. Study quality was determined using the PEDro scale, STROBE statement and single-case experimental design scale. Eleven studies were selected. Based on the studies included in this review, surgery is more effective than myofunctional therapy, although better results are achieved if both are combined. Improvements have been found in maternal pain, weight gain of babies, duration of breastfeeding, tongue mobility, strength and endurance, sleep apnea, mouth breathing and snoring, quality of life, clenching teeth, myofascial tension, pain after surgery and speech sound production. These findings must be taken with caution because of the small number of articles and their quality. Future clinical trials using larger sample sizes and with higher methodological quality are needed.

Management of Ankyloglossia with different severity: a case series in dental surgery

“…Moreover, the addition of speech therapy consultation is crucial for patients whose primary complaints are speech disorders after surgery. It aims to restore the tongue's movement to its correct position in cases where the patient's condition has grown accustomed to or adapted to incorrect movements when the patient speaks, 14,24 so that in these patients, the success rate can only be assessed after the patient has undergone postoperative speech therapy training.…”

Relationship of ankyloglossia and obstructive sleep apnea: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…According to the literature, surgery proves to be more effective than myofunctional therapy, in order to enhances tongue mobility, strength, and endurance, alleviates sleep apnea, reduces mouth breathing and snoring, improves quality of life, decreases teeth clenching, addresses myofascial tension, alleviates post-surgery pain, and enhances speech sound production. However, further studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis [ 39 , 40 ].…”

Concurrent Occurrence of Ear Tag With Posterior Talon Cusp, Fissured Tongue, and Ankyloglossia: A Case Report

“…Ankyloglossia can also be found in many congenital syndromes, such as Beckwith-Wiedemann, Simosa, Ehlers-Danlos, Simpson-Golabi-Behmel, oral-facial digital syndromes, Opitz, and Xlinked cleft palate, and in newborns from cocaine-addicted mothers [11]. Lingual laser frenotomy reduces complications such as less bleeding, rapid healing, intraoperative pain, and complications [12]. Ankyloglossia can lead to dental problems, such as spacing between the mandibular incisors [12,13].…”

“…Lingual laser frenotomy reduces complications such as less bleeding, rapid healing, intraoperative pain, and complications [12]. Ankyloglossia can lead to dental problems, such as spacing between the mandibular incisors [12,13].…”