Evaluation of Malocclusion Traits Associated with Ankyloglossia: A Pilot Study

Context: Although the role of ankyloglossia as an etiologic factor in the development of the malocclusion is well established, the guidelines for its clinical examination are still not clear especially in adult subjects. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate dento-skeletal characteristics in patients with ankyloglossia and to correlate ankyloglossia with various malocclusion traits. Settings and Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients were divided into two groups using Kotlow’s method: without ankyloglossia (group WA) and ankyloglossia (group A). Five skeletal characteristics- SNA, SNB, ANB, GoGn-SN and five dental characteristics - Class of malocclusion, crowding, spacing, overjet and overbite were assessed. Statistical analysis used: Independent t test was used to compare skeletal and dental characteristics between group WA and A. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine interrelationship between ankyloglossia and skeletal and dental characteristics. The level of significance was set at .05. Results: There were statistically significant differences between group WA and group A with respect to SNA, SNB and overjet (P<0.05). Also, a significant positive correlation was seen between ankyloglossia and Class of malocclusion. (r=0.501, P<0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests patients with ankyloglossia have increased overjet with more retrognathic maxilla and mandible as compared to patients without ankyloglossia.