VIEIRA, Evanice Menezes Marçal et al. Frequency of ankyloglossia in a community of native Brazilians. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) []. 2010, 58, 2, pp. 215-218. ISSN 1981-8637.

OBJETIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ankyloglossia in people of different age groups living in the native Brazilian community of Umutina, in the municipality of Barra do Bugres/Mato Grosso. METHODS: The sample consisted of 291 native Brazilians who underwent clinical examination. RESULTS: Ankyloglossia was observed in 108 (37.11%) individuals. There was a greater prevalence of ankyloglossia among males, with 57 cases (43.8%) against 51 cases (31.7%) in females. Age distribution was done after analyzing the hierarchical grouping, resulting in three age groups: 1- to 20-year-olds, 21- to 45-year-olds and 46- to 99-year-olds. Ankyloglossia was more prevalent in the youngest group, with 65 cases (40.6%). CONCLUSION: Although there is a high rate of ankyloglossia among the individuals who live in the Umutina Reservation, ankyloglossia does not seem responsible for the changes associated with phonation, mastication, presence of diastema and periodontal problems, since these changes were infrequent and generated no complaints.

: lingual frenum; tongue; indigenous population.