Iyad N. Morphological and functional changes of the dentoalveolar field in orthodontic patients with type I, II and III lingual frenulum shortening.

The dissertation is devoted to the arguments in support of the choice of method of treatment the orthodontic patients with type I, II and III shortening of frenulum of tongue by determining the morphological and functional changes in the dentoalveolar field which take place in this case. The prevalence of lingual frenulum shortening in 226 schoolchildren of Poltava has been studied. In 259 orthodontic patients with types I, II and III lingual frenulum shortening in the age aspect the structure and prevalence of dentoalveolar anomalies has been defined; the comparison of tongue and frenulum shape and dimensions in orthodontic patients and in individuals with normal physiological occlusion and long frenulum has been performed; the structure and the high prevalence of functional disorders have been determined and confirmed by the results of additional studies (electromyography and linguodynamometry); the performed biometric studies have shown a considerable degree of morphological changes in lower jaw bone; the lateral teleroentgenography with contrast enhancement of tongue displayed the repositioning of dorslim of tongue and tip of tongue with formation of free space inbetween up to 51.79%. The above-stated results provide the possibility to substantiate the necessity for integrated method of treatment and to offer the practical guidelines for tongue frenulum stretch, displacement of tongue and increase in range of motions.