Real-time balanced turbo field echo cine-magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of tongue movements during deglutition in subjects with anterior open bite.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate tongue movements in subjects with anterior dental open bites during deglutition by using real-time balanced turbo field echo cine-magnetic resonance imaging.


METHODS
The study included 28 subjects. Two groups were formed according to the presence of anterior open bite (at least 2 mm). The open-bite group (OBG) consisted of 18 patients (14 girls, 4 boys) with a mean age of 14.5 +/- 2.7 years. The control group (CG) consisted of 10 patients (5 girls, 5 boys) with a mean age of 14.5 +/- 2.6 years. We evaluated deglutition during 3 stages: oral (stage 1), pharyngeal (stage 2), and esophageal stage (3).


RESULTS
Results indicated that (1) in the OBG, from stage 2 to stage 3, the anterior portion of the tongue dorsum was elevated [corrected] whereas its midportion was lowered [corrected]; (2) in the CG, its posterior portion was lowered [corrected] from stage 2 to stage 3; (3) in the CG, the tongue tip was positioned more posteriorly [corrected] at stage 2 than at stage 1; (4) in the OBG, the tongue tip moved more anteriorly in all stages of deglutition than in the CG.


CONCLUSIONS
Compensatory tongue functions occur in patients with anterior dental open bites. Dynamic MRI is a promising tool for evaluating swallowing patterns in these patients.
Akin
Erol
E
Department of Orthodontics, Dental Sciences Center, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. erollakin@hotmail.com
Sayin
Mehmet Ozgür
MO
Karaçay
Seniz
S
Bulakbaşi
Nail
N
D000293:Adolescent; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008311:Malocclusion, Angle Class I / Q000503:physiopathology; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000503:physiopathology; D009055:Mouth / Q000503:physiopathology; D009068:Movement; D024343:Open Bite / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000503:physiopathology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D014059:Tongue / Q000503:physiopathology*