THE VALUE OF DENTAL EXAMINATION FOR EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM DISEASES

Abstract

The aim: The purpose of the study was to determine the correspondence between the location of the tongue median line and the degree of distortion of the vertebral column at different levels in children with scoliosis. Materials and methods: Totally 56 children (30 girls, 26 boys) aged 11-14 years were examined, with a duration of musculoskeletal disorders 1-3 years. For each participant an oral cavity examination was performed, the position of the middle line of the tongue was determined. X-ray images of vertebral column of the patients from investigated groups were analyzed. Results: In the group with 1year duration of the disease 25.02% patients had a violation of the medial line of the tongue, in the group with 2 years of duration of the disease - 65,52% participants had the deviation of the medial line of the tongue, in the group with 3 years of duration of the disease 86.66% of patients had the deviation of the medial line of the tongue. Conclusions: This research allows us to recommend paying attention not only to the size, color, state of the papillae of the tongue, but also to the position of the middle line, which distortion may significate the deviation of the vertebral column in different portions.