Evaluation of the association between tongue posture and the transverse dental compensation in Class III skeletal patients – a retrospective, record-based study

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Assess association between tongue posture and transverse dental compensation pattern of teeth in Class III skeletal patients and compare above association between skeletal Class III and Class I patients. Materials & Methods: Records of 126 subjects containing Skeletal Class I subjects as control group (n = 63) and Skeletal Class III patients as experimental group (n = 63) were taken. Tongue-to-palate distance was measured on lateral cephalograms. Buccolingual inclinations were measured on CBCT coronal section as angle between reference plane (line perpendicular to buccal and lingual crest of alveolar bone) and long axis of tooth. Results: In skeletal Class III malocclusion, significant results were found. Degree of buccal tipping of 17, 15, 14, 27, 25, 24 & Tongue to Palate distance at D3 and D4 shows a significant positive correlation with p value of <0.001. Moderate correlation was seen between parameters degree of lingual tipping of molars and premolars with tongue to palate distance at D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5. Conclusions: Based on observations, in Skeletal Class III subjects, a) Tongue assumes a lower and more anterior position. b) Tongue to palate distance is increased at positions D2 – D5. c) Lingual tipping of mandibular posterior teeth was not as significant. Clinical Relevance: Strong association exists between tongue forces and the buccal flaring of maxillary posterior teeth.