Case Report
Clinical Guidelines and Management of Ankyloglossia with 1-Year Followup: Report of 3 Cases
Table 2
Hazel baker’s Assessment tool for appearance and function of the tongue.
| Appearance | Function |
| Appearance of tongue when lifted | Lateralization |
| 2: Round or square | 2: Complete | 1: Slight cleft in tip apparent | 1: Body or tongue but no tongue tip | 0: Heart or V-shaped | 0: None |
| Elasticity of frenulum | Lift of tongue |
| 2: Very elastic | 2: Tip to mid-mouth | 1: Moderately elastic | 1: Only edges to mid-mouth | 0: Little or no elasticity
| 0: Tip stays at lower alveolar ridge or rises to mid-mouth only with jaw closure |
| Length of lingual frenulum when tongue lifted | Extension of tongue |
| 2: >1 cm | 2: Tip over lower lip | 1: 1 cm | 1: Tip over lower gum only 0: Neither of the above, or anterior or | 0: <1 cm | mid-tongue humps |
| Attachment of lingual frenulum to tongue | Spread of anterior tongue |
| 2: Posterior to tip | 2: Complete | 1: At tip | 1: Moderate of partial | 0: Notched tip | 0: Little or none |
| Attachment of lingual frenulum to inferior alveolar ridge | Cupping |
| 2: Attached to floor of mouth or well below ridge | 2: Entire edge, firm cup
| 1: Attached just below ridge | 1: Side edges only, moderate cup | 0: Attached at ridge | 0: Poor or no cup |
| | Peristalsis |
| | 2: Complete, anterior or posterior | | 1: Partial, originating posterior to tip | | 0: None or reverse |
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14 = Perfect score, 11 = Acceptable if appearance item score is 10. Frenectomy is necessary if function score is <11 and appearance score is <8.
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