Tongue Pressure Declines Early on in Patients with Malocclusion

Abstract

(1) Background: The tongue plays a key role in the stomatognathic system in carrying out oral functions. The aim of this study was to identify the association between tongue pressure and orthodontic parameters. (2) Methods: This study is a cross-sectional multicentered cohort study with IRB approval. During routine orthodontic initial examinations, the following data were recorded: age, sex, angle classification, overjet (OJ), overbite (OB), arch sizes, tongue width, and maximum tongue pressure (MTP). The association between MTP and orthodontic parameters was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation analysis and the Student’s t-test. (3) Results: There is a positive correlation between MTP and age between ages 10 and 20 (R = 0.47, p < 0.01). There is a negative correlation with MTP and age between 20 and 40 (R = −0.30, p < 0.05). There are negative correlations between MTP and OJ (R = −0.278, p < 0.01)) and OB (R = −0.374, p < 0.01). While there is no statistical significance between MTP and tongue width, there is a statistically significant difference between age and tongue width (R = 0.22482, p < 0.05). There is no statistical significance between MTP and sex, angle classification, arch length, intercanine width, and intermolar width. (4) Conclusion: An earlier decline in MTP is observed with patients with malocclusion. This implies that patients with malocclusion should seek early treatment for the malocclusion.