The Relation Between Posture and Dimension of Tongue and Different Sagittal Skeletal Patterns and Vertical Skeletal...

This study aimed to define the relation between posture and dimension of the tongue and different skeletal patterns in sagittal and vertical dimensions through cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

CBCT images of 225 patients (149 females and 76 males) with a mean age of 33 years were included in this retrospective study. The sample was divided into three groups: class I (100 patients), class II (100 patients), and class III (25 patients). For each sample, tongue length (TGL) and tongue height (TGH) along with its position were evaluated. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA, Tukey HSD, Welch's t-test, and Games-Howell test were performed. Also, to define the correlation between variables, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were used.

The mean TGH was significantly greater in the class III group compared to class I (p-value = 0.017) and class II groups (p-value = 0.002). The mean TGL was significantly greater in the class II group compared to the class I group (p-value = 0.008), without significant differences between other groups. There was no significant difference between vertical pattern groups in any of the tongue variables including TGL, TGH, mandibular length, and tongue position (p-value > 0.05).

The TGL was greater in class II patients, and the TGH was greater in class III patients. Also, class II patients had higher tongue posture compared to class I and III groups. Furthermore, vertical pattern had no significant influence on tongue position and dimension.