The korean journal of orthodontics (대한치과교정학회지)

The Korean Association Of Orthodontists (대한치과교정학회)
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Three-dimensional evaluation of the association between tongue position and upper airway morphology in adults: A cross-sectional study

  • Yuchen Zheng (Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Hussein Aljawad (Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Min-Seok Kim (Department of Oral Anatomy, School of Dentistry, Dental Science Research Institute, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Su-Hoon Choi (Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Min-Soo Kim (Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Min-Hee Oh (Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Dental 4D Research Institute, Dental Science Research Institute, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Jin-Hyoung Cho (Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Dental 4D Research Institute, Dental Science Research Institute, Chonnam National University)
  • Received : 2023.02.02
  • Accepted : 2023.08.13
  • Published : 2023.09.25
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Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between low tongue position (LTP) and the volume and dimensions of the nasopharyngeal, retropalatal, retroglossal, and hypopharyngeal segments of the upper airway. Methods: A total of 194 subjects, including 91 males and 103 females were divided into a resting tongue position (RTP) group and a LTP group according to their tongue position. Subjects in the LTP group were divided into four subgroups (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) according to the intraoral space volume. The 3D slicer software was used to measure the volume and minimum and average cross-sectional areas of each group. Airway differences between the RTP and LTP groups were analyzed to explore the association between tongue position and the upper airway. Results: No significant differences were found in the airway dimensions between the RTP and LTP groups. For both retropalatal and retroglossal segments, the volume and average cross-sectional area were significantly greater in the patients with extremely low tongue position. Regression analysis showed that the retroglossal airway dimensions were positively correlated with the intraoral space volume and negatively correlated with A point-nasion-B point and palatal plane to mandibular plane. Males generally had larger retroglossal and hypopharyngeal airways than females. Conclusions: Tongue position did not significantly influence upper airway volume or dimensions, except in the extremely LTP subgroup.

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References

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