Abstract
The aims of this study were to reveal the usefulness of a newly developed method for measuring tongue volume (TV) and oral cavity capacity (OCC) and to assess the relationship between them. The tongue was coated with a contrast agent, and the TV and OCC were determined using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). We enrolled 20 adults who were scheduled to undergo CBCT to evaluate the relationship of the third molar roots to the alveolar nerve before molar extraction. Each participant’s tongue was coated with a contrast agent, and CBCT of the tongue and oral cavity was performed. Using computer software, we evaluated reconstructed 3D images of the TV, oral cavity proper volume (OCPV), and OCC. The mean TV was 47.07 ± 7.08 cm3. The mean OCPV and OCC were 4.40 ± 2.78 cm3 and 51.47 ± 6.46 cm3, respectively. There was a significant correlation between TV and OCC (r = 0.920; p < 0.01) but not between TV and OCPV. The mean TV/OCC ratio was 91 ± 5%. The proposed method produced CBCT images that enabled effective measurement of TV and OCC. This simple method of measuring TV and OCC will be useful in the diagnosis on the tongues with abnormal size.
Highlights
Teeth are aligned with the outer border of the tongue in a parabolic curve and are surrounded by cheek and lip muscles
Tooth position and the form of the dental arch are subject to constant pressure from the circumoral muscles and the tongue, and stable maintenance of the position of the teeth and the form of the dental arch is thought to depend on the balance of these pressures [1]
3D morphology of the tongue was clearly discernable in the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) image with the barium sulfate coating (Fig. 1b)
Summary
Teeth are aligned with the outer border of the tongue in a parabolic curve and are surrounded by cheek and lip muscles. According to the equilibrium theory, the tongue in resting posture exerts a light force over a long duration, significantly influencing tooth position and the dental arch form [2, 3]. The volumetric relationship between the tongue and the oral cavity may Previous studies evaluating TV and OCC have used lateral cephalograms [6,7,8], alginate impressions [9, 10], computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [11, 12]. Studies using CT and MRI have provided a better understanding of the 3D morphology of the tongue and oral cavity, the shape and position of the tongue are significantly influenced by gravity because the images are obtained while the patients are supine [13, 14]. The mobility of the tongue and the long exposure times needed for MRI may result in motion artifacts, which decrease image quality
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.
