Assessment of posterior tongue mobility using lingual‐palatal suction: Progress towards a functional definition of ankyloglossia

Abstract

Background A functional definition of ankyloglossia has been based on assessment of tongue mobility using the tongue range of motion ratio (TRMR) with the tongue tip extended towards the incisive papilla (TIP). Whereas this measurement has been helpful in assessing for variations in the mobility of the anterior one‐third of the tongue (tongue tip and apex), it may be insufficient to adequately assess the mobility of the posterior two‐thirds body of the tongue. A commonly used modification is to assess TRMR while the tongue is held in suction against the roof of the mouth in lingual‐palatal suction (LPS). Objective This study aims to explore the utility and normative values of TRMR‐LPS as an adjunct to functional assessment of tongue mobility using TRMR‐TIP. Study Design Cross‐sectional cohort study of 611 subjects (ages: 3‐83 years) from the general population. Methods Measurements of tongue mobility using TRMR were performed with TIP and LPS functional movements. Objective TRMR measurements were compared with subjective self‐assessment of resting tongue position, ease or difficulty elevating the tongue tip to the palate, and ease or difficulty elevating the tongue body to the palate. Results There was a statistically significant association between the objective measures of TRMR‐TIP and TRMR‐LPS and subjective reports of tongue mobility. LPS measurements were much more highly correlated with differences in elevating the posterior body of the tongue as compared to TIP measurements (R2 0.31 vs 0.05, P < .0001). Conclusions This study validates the TRMR‐LPS as a useful functional metric for assessment of posterior tongue mobility.

Ankyloglossia, a Contributor to Pelvic Pain: A Case Report

“…Examples of compensatory motions include lifting the mandible or the floor of the mouth. This compensation can in turn cause TMJ disorders 23. Another compensation when the tongue lacks full range of motion is changes in swallowing and mastication mechanics.…”

“…Previous research has linked TMJ to pelvic floor dysfunction [25][26][27] as well as TMJ to ankyloglossia. 23,24 However, to date, no research exists to the author's knowledge on the connection between ankyloglossia and pelvic floor dysfunction. Previous research regarding dyspareunia and pelvic floor dysfunction has not addressed tongue function.…”

Miofrenuloplasty for Full Functional Tongue Release in Ankyloglossia in Adults and Adolescents—Preliminary Report and Step-by-Step Technique Showcase

“…To evaluate results, we used tongue range motion ratio (TRMR) with patient in the natural head position. The lingual palatal suction hold (TRMR-LPS) corresponds to the posterior tongue mobility, whereas the tip of the tongue in relation to the incisive papilla (TRMR-TIP) corresponds to the anterior tongue mobility [ 5 ]. Those functional measurements were evaluated before and 6 months after surgery.…”

Tongue-and lip-tie beyond breastfeeding difficulties

“…Similarly, the detrimental consequences of tongue-tie on the health of the newborn do not comprise uniquely breastfeeding difficulties. Thus, treating tongue-tie with frenotomy without a multidisciplinary approach may be a suboptimal strategy [19,43].…”

“…Different classification schemes and grading systems have been proposed but none is universally used [25,[38][39][40][41][42][43]. Often, ankyloglossia is classified into anterior ankyloglossia and posterior ankyloglossia based on the location of the frenulum attachment on the ventral surface of the tongue [40].…”