Oral tube frenules are tendon muscle insertions that connect muscular anatomy structures to muscle "anchorage" structures, such as the floor of the mouth, or skeletal ones, such as the upper jaw or upper jaw.
We know three major frenules in the mouth, represented by the upper and lower labial frenules and lingual frenulum.
In some cases, the frenulum may be anatomically thicker and shorter than normal, and in this case it is referred to short and/or hypertrophic frenule.
Excessive size and size of the upper labial frenulum is often attributed to the presence of a space between the upper center incisors. Indeed, this diagnosis presents itself with many questions, given that in the phases of mixed dentition between the ages of 7 and 12, spaces between the upper incisors are mostly related to normal phases of tooth eruption. Over time, erupting teeth, especially the upper canines, tend to produce spontaneous closure of the same spaces. For these reasons, the need for frenulectomy of the upper labial frenulum should only be highlighted at the end of the growth.
Reduced size and increased tension in the lower labial frenulum is attributed to the formation of lower gingivitis in the lower incisors, to be checked on a case by case basis by the dentist and even more appropriately by the periodontist.
However, if the lingual frenulum is too short, it prevents the correct movement of the tongue, often causing the pronunciation of the words to influence the growth of the jaw and the development of proper swallowing.
The short lingual frenulum can especially be the cause of primary rotation preventing the tongue from reaching the upper back spot.
This condition requires early diagnosis as the development of the phonation and the process of swallowing takes place in the early years of the child's life.
The dentist diagnoses this condition and advises when to proceed with the surgical reduction of the frenulum itself.
In conclusion, while the reduction of the labial frenulum is almost never suggested, and even in rare cases the intervention should not be premature but programmed no earlier than the ages of 12-13, the evidence of a short lingual frenulum should be intercepted as soon as possible in order to normalize the lingual function.
