title: Effect of wearing a palatal plate on swallowing function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of wearing a palatal plate on swallowing function.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subject group consisted of 10 healthy, fully dentate males. Two experimental palatal plates (EPP) were used in this study: one was 1.4mm thick (EPP1), and the other was 2.8mm thick (EPP2). Tongue movements and swallowing sounds were simultaneously recorded. The position of the surface of the tongue was recorded by using ultrasound diagnostic equipment in the sagittal plane. Swallowing tests were performed under three conditions: without EPP (WOE), with EPP1 (WP1), and with EPP2 (WP2). Swallowing index (SI) and tongue contact time (TCT) was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The value of SI was lowest under WOE, and highest under WP2, with a statistically significant difference. There was no statistical significance, however, between SI under WOE and that under WP1. The value of TCT was longest under WOE, and shortest under WP2, with a statistically significant difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This investigation suggests that the thickness of a palatal plate influences SI and TCT, which correlate with swallowing function.
authors.affiliation: Division of Occlusion and Removable Prosthodontics, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido School of Dentistry, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido 061-0293, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshifumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Toyoshita
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koshino
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirai
authors.forename: Tamachi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsumi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052280:Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D021362:Palate, Hard; D014059:Tongue / Q000502:physiology