title: Preliminary radiographic observations of the tongue-repositioning manoeuvre.
abstract: The tongue-repositioning manoeuvre (TRM) is a method to place the tongue in direct contact with the hard palate. The TRM makes use of voluntary generation of negative interocclusal pressure controlled by an intra-extraoral pressure indicator device in combination with an oral shield. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the TRM influences vertical tongue position and/or tongue-velum contact. Ninety consecutive patients (75 males, aged 26-76 years, and 15 females, aged 36-70 years) who presented with snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) were examined at the University of Göttingen. Two cephalograms, with and without the TRM, were taken and traced. The data were analysed using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. Evaluation of the TRM demonstrated a significant increase (P < 0.01) of the mean tongue-velum contact from 6.3 to 24.5 mm and a significant decrease (P < 0.01) of the mean tongue-palate distance (12.3-3.1 mm) measured perpendicular to the nasal line. This was compatible with an intensification of posterior mouth closure and a contact position of the tongue with the palate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany. wengelke@med.uni-goettingen.de
authors.forename: Wilfried G H
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Engelke
authors.forename: Milagros
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.forename: German
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Repetto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002508:Cephalometry; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D012913:Snoring / Q000628:therapy; D013391:Sucking Behavior; D014059:Tongue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014618:Vacuum