Physiological correction of lingual dysfunction with the "Tongue Right Positioner": Beneficial effects on the upper airways.
Several studies have demonstrated the beneficial role of functional tongue therapy in stabilizing treatments for dental malocclusion and treating sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect on the upper airways of the Tongue Right Positioner device (TRP) used for the correction of atypical swallowing. We analyzed lateral headfilms of 94 orthodontic patients aged between 11 and 17, before the start of treatment and after establishment of mature swallowing, treated with the TRP (TRP group) or by reeducation exercises (control group). In the TRP group, the establishment of mature swallowing occurs twice as fast as in the control group. This led to thinning of the floor of the mouth (-8.38%, P<0.001) linked to anteroposterior enlargement of the pharynx (+10.48%, P<0.01), both probably due to an increase in genioglossal and styloglossal muscle tone and correction of cranio-cervical posture (+2.52%, P<0.01). These results are not dependent on the type of orthodontic treatment. They suggest that the TRP could be used in the treatment of SDB.
14, rue du Ravelin, 10000 Troyes, France.
Claude
C
Mauclaire
CETOF, 22, avenue Grammont, 37000 Tours, France.
Frédéric
F
Vanpoulle
14, rue du Ravelin, 10000 Troyes, France. Electronic address: yannsgc@free.fr.
Yann
Y
Saint-Georges-Chaumet
D000293:Adolescent; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002680:Chin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D006928:Hyoid Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000628:therapy; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology; D020247:Myofunctional Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009333:Neck / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000628:therapy; D014061:Tongue Habits / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Functional reeducation; Muscle tone restoration; Oropharynx; Swallowing; Tongue