Baseline Tongue Parameters in Normodivergent Skeletal Class I South Indian Subjects

Abstract

Aims and objectives: A thorough knowledge about dimensions, volume and position of tongue is important during diagnosis and treatment of malocclusion. This study was aimed at providing a baseline data for dimensions and position of tongue in skeletal and dental Class I relationship. Materials and methods: Data regarding tongue length, height and position of tongue was obtained from records of healthy normodivergent South Indian adult patients with skeletal and dental Class I relationship (30 males and 30 females). Mean and standard deviation was done using t- test. Sexual differentiation was tested using student t-test. Unpaired t-test was used to compare the parameters with other reported studies. Levene's test for equality of variance and t-test for equality of means was also done. Results: Average tongue length was 73.16 mm for males and 70.72 mm for females. Average tongue height was 36.92 mm for males and 35 mm for females. In male, tongue was positioned 8.04 mm away from palate and 13.04 mm away from the posterior pharyngeal wall whereas in female, it was positioned 7.92 mm away from palate and 15.64 mm away from the posterior pharyngeal wall. Conclusion: No statistically significant difference in tongue length and height was found between males and females. Additionally, it was observed that in females, the tongue was situated more anteriorly and occupied a higher position in the palatal dome as compared to males. Results of this study will help in understanding the role of tongue in etiology of malocclusion and its application in orthodontics.