Comparative cephalometric evaluation of tongue position in subjects with skeletal class II division 1 and division 2 malocclusion.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the position of the tongue from rest to centric occlusion in subjects with skeletal class II division 1 and skeletal class II division 2 malocclusions with subjects of skeletal class II normal occlusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 30 individuals equally divided into three groups of skeletal class II division (div) 1, skeletal class II div 2, and skeletal class I normal occlusion. The study was conducted on two lateral cephalograms for each subject: one taken at rest and one in centric occlusion. RESULTS: On evaluation of tongue posture, a statistically significant difference was observed at the middle portion of the tongue in class II div 1 malocclusion, and at the posteromedial portion of the dorsum of the tongue in class II div 2 skeletal malocclusions as the tongue moved from rest to centric occlusion. While statistically significant differences were found between class II div 2 malocclusion and class I normal occlusion, no statistically significant differences were observed between class II div 1 and class II div 2 malocclusions. CONCLUSION: Tongue position was observed to be the same in both class II div 1 and class II div 2 malocclusions, with no statistically significant differences. However, a great change was seen in the tongue position from rest to centric occlusion.

Comparison of Volumetric Dimensions of Pharyngeal Airway for Different Dentofacial Skeletal Patterns Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

INTRODUCTION: After a century of controversies, we are still not certain on the relationship between airway volume and facial morphology. OBJECTIVE: To measure nasopharyngeal airway volume and compare it among different skeletal patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty five CBCT scans of patients between sixteen to twenty five years were used in the study. The nasopharyngeal airway was divided into upper, middle and lower segments. CBCT images were grouped into skeletal class I, class II and class III. RESULTS: There was highly significant difference in upper (p=0.001) and middle pharyngeal airway volume (p<0.001) among 3 skeletal groups. Lower pharyngeal airway volume was also statistically significant (p=0.051) among 3 groups. Total pharyngeal airway volume did not show any significant correlation. CONCLUSION: Nasopharyngeal airway volume seems to play a role in different skeletal patterns.