[Postural changes of the tongue and hyoid bone following orthognathodontic surgical interventions]

The study was carried out on 28 dysgnathic patients submitted to surgical correction of malocclusion with the use of latero-lateral X-rays pre- and postoperatively. Cephalometry included a tongue and hyoid bone profiles and changes were assessed and quantified. It was interesting to note that aspecific evaluation of progenia patients confirmed the raising of the tongue and the lowering of the hyoid bone. Evaluation of the type of operation carried out led to further considerations. In patients undergoing combined operation there was a prevalence of a raising of the two components; mandible operation alone influences the downward shift of the tongue and hyoid bone. The advance of the upper maxillary, on the other hand, particularly when associated with segmentary osteotomy, is accompanied by a combined shift upwards of both tongue and hyoid bone.