PURPOSE: to check if individuals with lingual frenulum alteration demonstrate chewing interference. METHODS: the casuistry of this research was carried out with two groups, a target and a control group, each one with ten individuals. The target group had lingual frenulum alteration. All subjects were submitted to lingual frenulum and chewing evaluation protocols. This procedure was recorded. RESULTS: the collected samples showed that individuals with lingual frenulum alteration have 5.447 times more chances of show tongue mobility alteration than individuals with normal frenulum. Subjects with tongue mobility alteration haven't kept regularity when it comes to mastication period. As for the chewing, on the grinding mode, 100% of the control group used the back teeth. Among the subjects with frenulum alteration, 47% used the back teeth and 53% chewed with the front teeth and/or mashing with the tongue. Regarding muscle atypical movements, individuals with frenulum alteration have 5.714 times more chances to show them during the chewing than individuals from the control group. CONCLUSION: individuals with lingual frenulum alteration showed tongue mobility alteration and mastication alterations.
Lingual Frenum; Mastication; Stomatognathic System; Mobility Limitation; Evaluation
