Abstract

MORISSO, Marcela Forgiarini; BERWIG, Luana Cristina  and  SILVA, Ana Maria Toniolo da. Ankyloglossia-related changes in the stomatognathic system. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2012, vol.60, n.2, pp. 203-208. ISSN 1981-8637.

Objective This study investigated the occurrence and frequency of changes in the stomatognathic system of patients with ankyloglossia. Methods A total of 1516 patients aged 5 to 16 years, of both genders, attending public schools or seen at the Speech and Language Therapy Service of the Federal University of Santa Maria were screened for ankyloglossia. A pediatric dental surgeon was responsible for the diagnoses. Children diagnosed with ankyloglossia were then submitted to speech-language and orthodontic assessments. Results Only 21 of the 1516 screened patients were diagnosed with ankyloglossia, which prevailed in males and children aged 5 to 6 years and 11 to 12 years. Changes in tongue resting position, tongue mobility, deglutition and articulation were found in most children. The most common orthodontic change was Class I malocclusion but Class III malocclusion and diastema of the lower incisors were also found. Conclusion Ankyloglossia is a rare tongue condition, more common in males, and may affect the structures and functions of the stomatognathic system.

Keywords : Lingual frenum.; Stomatognathic system.; Tongue.; Tongue diseases..