Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate the correlation between the tongue pressure and the electrical activity of the suprahyoid muscles. Methods: a across-sectional, observational and analytical study conducted with 15 men and 22 women. Each participant underwent simultaneous assessment of maximal tongue pressure through the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) and the surface electromyography of the suprahyoid muscles. They were asked to press the tongue against the hard palate in the anterior and posterior region, with and without IOPI. The adopted significance level of the performed analyses was 5%. Results: there was a moderate and significant correlation only between suprahyoid electrical activity and tongue pressure in the posterior region. It was verified that the measured electrical potentials, when using the IOPI, were greater in the tasks of anterior pressure than in the tasks of the posterior one, bilaterally. Without using the IOPI, the electrical potentials were greater in the posterior pressure than in the anterior one, bilaterally. Finally, the values of lingual pressure were compared with the bulb positioned in the anterior and posterior parts, and the anterior tongue pressure was higher. Conclusion: there was a moderate correlation between tongue pressure and electrical potential of the suprahyoid muscles, researched by the surface electromyography, only when performing activities with the posterior portion of the tongue.
Highlights
The tongue participates in several functions of the stomatognathic system, such as chewing, swallowing and phonoarticulation[1]
Changes in tongue tonus may interfere with the orofacial myofunctional performance and impair the individual’s quality of life[2,3]
The tongue tonus, when altered, can influence dental positioning, since the dental arch is submitted to different strengths, in different amplitudes and by varied organs, such as cheeks, lips and tongue[4]
Summary
The tongue participates in several functions of the stomatognathic system, such as chewing, swallowing and phonoarticulation[1]. The tongue tonus, when altered, can influence dental positioning, since the dental arch is submitted to different strengths, in different amplitudes and by varied organs, such as cheeks, lips and tongue[4]. When one of these strengths excels it is possible that tooth movement occurs, especially if this strength is constantly exerted on the teeth[4]. The evaluation of the tongue tonus becomes of great relevance, allowing to define the intervention and monitoring when necessary[5] This evaluation is usually performed in a perceptive way, since the means available to measure this parameter are scarce. This personal evaluation, based on the professional’s experience, can generate divergence of opinion, especially when the examiners present little clinical practice[6] the development and application of objective methods have been expanded in Orofacial Myology[5]
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