抄録
To investigate preoperative oral motor function, voluntary tongue movements, and articulatory and swallowing functions, were evaluated in 31 patients with ankyloglossia, according to condition severity.
Methods: 1. Voluntary tongue movements were evaluated using four criteria (sticking out the tongue, elevating the tip of the tongue, touching the angles of the mouth with the tongue, and tracing the lips with the tongue). 2. Articulatory functions were evaluated according to types of misarticulation, the diadocochkinetic rate of syllable production, and compensatory movements. 3. Swallowing functions were evaluated by observing for abnormal swallowing habits.
Results: 1. Patients who were slightly tongue-tied showed relatively good voluntary tongue movement. Half of the patients who were moderate tongue-tied showed poor voluntary tongue movement in lateral directions. Patients who were severely tongue-tied showed poor voluntary tongue movement in superior and lateral directions, i. e. all directions except anterior. 2. In articulatory and swallowing functions, patients who were moderately and severely tonguetied exhibited markedly functional disorders.
In conclusion, quantitative evaluation of oral dysfunction associated with ankyloglossia showed marked functional disorders in moderate and severe cases.
