Which of the following is a consequence of a short upper labial frenulum, as described in the material?

• A. Formation of diastema
• B. Slowing in the development of mandible
• C. Appearance of oral breathing
• D. Appearance of infantile swallowing

Answer: (A)

A short upper labial frenulum pulls on the midline gingival tissue between the upper front teeth. That traction tends to keep the central incisors spaced apart, resulting in a diastema. In children, this diastema is a common result of a tight frenulum and can persist if the frenulum remains restrictive, sometimes necessitating intervention to allow the teeth to move together.

The other options don’t fit this direct mechanism: a short frenulum doesn’t directly slow the growth of the mandible, doesn’t cause oral breathing by itself, and isn’t the typical cause of infantile swallowing.