Tongue pressure and endurance in patients with Class II and Class III malocclusion

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate pressure and endurance exerted by the tongue and their association with malocclusion, gender and age in orthognathic surgery candidates. Method: a cross-sectional, descriptive observational study, performed with 34 subjects, i.e., 18 women and 16 men, in the average age 28.7 years, sorted by Angle’s classification. Self-reported complaint of tongue mobility and stomatognathic functions was assessed and the evaluation of tongue mobility carried out. Tongue pressure and endurance were measured with the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). The data were analyzed descriptively and, for inferential analysis, the Pearson Chi-Square test was used. A 5% significance level was considered. Results: the assessed pressure and tongue endurance values of patients with malocclusion were lower than the reference ones, indicating a statistical significance in class II female patients. There was an association between inadequate pressure and tongue endurance in women with class II malocclusion. Pressure and tongue endurance in females were slightly higher than in males and a gradual decrease in averages of pressure and tongue endurance with advancing age was seen. Conclusion: pressure and tongue endurance values in women presented with class II malocclusion were lower than the reference ones, an association between inadequate pressure and tongue endurance being found.