Evaluation of tongue pressure on the inferior dental arch in patients with mandibular prognathism
Przygoński, A.; Arkuszewski, P.
Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis 52 Suppl. 3: 131-133
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 1427-440X PMID: 17937026 Document Number: 596416
The aim of the present study was to find out whether there is a difference between the force exerted by the tongue (pressure) in patients with mandibular prognathism and healthy controls and to determine the difference in tongue pressure on the inferior dental arch in patients with mandibular prognathism before and after mandibular setback. Patients with mandibular prognathism were compared with healthy controls and data on tongue pressure were collected. Tongue pressure on the inferior dental arch in patients with mandibular prognathism ranged from 1.98 N to 12.26 N (mean 5.356 N). Tongue pressure in the control group ranged from 2.36 N to 16.9 N (mean 6.56 N), with most of the values ranging from 4.02 N to 7.84 N. Tongue pressure on the inferior dental arch is reduced in patients with mandibular prognathism. 1. Surgical treatment for mandibular prognathism using vertical ramus osteotomy does not affect tongue pressure, contradicting the view that the tongue is the main cause of skeletal relapse after mandibular setback. 2. There is no need for routine tongue size reduction prior to orthognathic surgery for mandibular prognathism.