Abstract
BackgroundThe volumetric ratio of the tongue to the oral cavity has been recognized to be one of the important factors for the maintenance of stable occlusion. Oral cavity capacity is changed after orthognathic surgery in patients with mandibular prognathism; however, the volumetric changes of the oral cavity including the tongue before and after surgery have not been analyzed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphological and volumetric changes of the tongue and oral cavity following orthognathic surgery using a newly developed vinyl polysiloxane impression method.Materials and methodsThe study was performed in fifteen subjects who underwent surgical orthognathic treatment. Impressions of the tongue together with the oral cavity were obtained before orthognathic surgery and 1, 3, and 6 months after orthognathic surgery. These impression patterns were scanned using cone-beam computed tomography (CT), and three-dimensional (3D) images of the oral cavity including the tongue, and the upper and lower dental arches were reconstructed. The morphological and volumetric changes in the oral cavity capacity and the tongue volume were examined.ResultsThe volume of the tongue with the volume of the oral cavity decreased after orthognathic surgery. There was a correlation between the decrease in the oral cavity capacity and tongue volume. The volumetric ratio of the tongue to the oral cavity seems to be maintained before and after orthognathic surgery.ConclusionVPS method, free from radiation exposure, may be useful for investigating the morphological and volumetric changes of the tongue and oral cavity, which may possibly influence the stability of the dental arch and occlusion during surgical orthodontic treatment.
Highlights
The volumetric ratio of the tongue to the oral cavity has been recognized to be one of the important factors for the maintenance of stable occlusion
There was a correlation between the decrease in the oral cavity capacity and tongue volume
Vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) method, free from radiation exposure, may be useful for investigating the morphological and volumetric changes of the tongue and oral cavity, which may possibly influence the stability of the dental arch and occlusion during surgical orthodontic treatment
Summary
The volumetric ratio of the tongue to the oral cavity has been recognized to be one of the important factors for the maintenance of stable occlusion. Wickwire et al speculated that the tongue position or function, or both, compensate for changes in the oral environment, and that the tongue will adapt to the size of the mandibular arch containing it [4] This possibly explains why significant volumetric changes in surgical orthodontic treatment cases show a stable occlusion after orthognathic surgery [5, 6]. There was no significant correlation between postoperative skeletal relapse and a change in tongue area Based on their findings, Tseng et al suggested that the tongue and hyoid bone changes its position and patterns, together with the displacement of the mandibular position by orthognathic surgery [7]. Assessments of the volumetric changes of OCC and TV during orthognathic treatment involve repeated examinations, and the use of multiple CBCT examinations for this purpose would not be ethical due to the probable negative health effects
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
