Evaluation of Tongue Position in the Subjects with Skeletal Class Ii Division 1 & Division 2 Malocclusion - A Cephalometric Study

Abstract

Aim/Objective: To evaluate and compare the position of the tongue from rest to centric occlusion in subjects with skeletal class II div 1 and skeletal class II div 2 malocclusions with subjects of skeletal class I normal occlusion.

Material and Methods: The study was conducted on 30 individuals equally divided into three groups of skeletal class II div 1, skeletal class II div 2 and skeletal class I normal occlusion. The study was conducted on two lateral cephalograms for each subject, one taken at rest and one in centric occlusion.

Results: On evaluation of tongue posture, statistically significant difference was observed at the middle portion of the tongue in class II div 1 malocclusion, and at the postero-medial portion of dorsum of the tongue in class II div 2 skeletal malocclusions as the tongue moved from rest to centric occlusion. While statistically significant differences were found between class II div 2 malocclusion and class I normal occlusion, no statistically significant differences were observed between class II div 1 and class II div 2 malocclusions.

Conclusion: Tongue position is seen to be the same in both class II div 1 and class II div 2 malocclusions with no statistically significant differences. However, a great change is seen in the tongue position from rest to centric occlusion.

Clinical Significance: From the present study following conclusion can be drawn: With the closure of mandible from rest position to centric occlusion the tongue moved antero superiorly in the tip region, superiorly in the dorsum region, and antero-superiorly in the posterior region in normal Class I occlusion subjects, while the dorsum moved postero-superiorly in Class II division 1 subjects and moved further posteriorly in Class II division 2 subjects.