Abnormal Tongue Behavior with Its Imaginable Influence on the Posterior Mandibular Dentoalveolar Structure

This study aims to evaluate the probable impression of the tongue forces on the posterior mandibular dentoalveolar structure through the assessment of the reflected stress distribution and the possible resultant displacement by finite element analysis on the mandibular model.

The AutoCAD (2010) software was used to design the three-dimensional mandibular study model for finite element analysis. A force of 2, 90, and 500 g/cm² that represents the forces expressed by the tongue during the normal rest posture, the normal function, and abnormal function, respectively, is applied perpendicularly to the lingual aspect of the mandibular model posterior portion.

Higher displacement values in the three axes of space X, Y, and Z are complementary to high von Mises stresses seen in abnormal tongue function state, and lowest for the normal rest posture, with normal function state in between.

This study showed that abnormal lingual habits possibly have an adverse effect on the mandibular posterior structure. It may lead to abnormal deviation in the form and position during growth. How to cite this article: Alsultan MMH, Al Zubaidi SH, Alsaleem NR. Abnormal Tongue Behavior with Its Imaginable Influence on the Posterior Mandibular Dentoalveolar Structure. J Contemp Dent Pract 2026;27(1):27-32.