Maximum Isometric Tongue Strength in Class III Dentofacial Deformity After Orthognathic Surgery

Trawitzki, Luciana

Maximum Isometric Tongue Strength in Class III Dentofacial Deformity After Orthognathic Surgery

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Luciana Trawitzki , Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil., Ribeirão Preto - SP, Brazil

Janaina Silva , * Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil., Ribeirão Preto - SP, Brazil

Tais Helena Grechi , Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery,, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

Francisco Mello-FIlho , Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil., Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil

The tongue is a structure of the stomatognathic system that plays an important role in orofacial functions¹. We often face the need to evaluate this structure, especially in patients with complaints of orofacial and cervical myofunctional disorders. Quantitative analyses of tongue strength can be of help for the diagnosis, the definition of a prognosis and the myofunctional control of speech therapy².The objective was to determine changes in Maximum Isometric Tongue Strength (MITS) in individuals with class III dentofacial deformity one year after orthognathic surgery. Fifty-eight volunteer patients, 34 women and 24 men, treated at a tertiary hospital participated in the study. All were receiving orthodontic treatment and speech therapy. MITS was measured with an electronic dynamometer (force transducer) positioned on the anterior and on the dorsal region of the tongue. The individuals were instructed to apply the maximal possible strength and the value was recorded in Newton. Individuals with a good understanding of oral language and with no cognitive or neuromuscular deficits were selected. The patients were re-evaluated six months and one year after surgery while being routinely followed up by the interdisciplinary team of the service. The Student t-test was used to determine changes in MITS. Analysis of the evolution of MITS after surgery compared to the preoperative measurements revealed a significant increase (P<0.05) at 6 months after surgery for the anterior region of the tongue, whereas an increase in MITS for the tongue dorsum (P<0.05) was observed one year after surgery. Tongue strength was influenced by the treatment of dentofacial deformity.

*Sources of support: FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo).

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