• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.203-216
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• 2014

The purpose of the current report is to present 6-year long-term stability and 10-year follow-up data for an adult patient who was treated with a tongue elevator for relapsed anterior open-bite. The 19-year-old male patient presented with the chief complaint of difficulty in chewing his food. Collectively, clinical and radiographic examinations revealed an anterior open-bite, low tongue posture, and tongue-tie. The patient opted for orthodontic treatment alone, without any surgical procedure. A lingual frenectomy was recommended to avoid the risk of relapse, but the patient declined because he was not experiencing tongue discomfort. Initial treatment of the anterior open-bite with molar intrusion and tongue exercises was successful, but relapse occurred during the retention period. A tongue elevator was used for retreatment, because the approach was minimally invasive and suited the patient's requirements regarding discomfort, cost, and time. The appliance changed the tongue posture and generated an altered tongue force, which ultimately resulted in intrusive dentoalveolar effects, and a subsequent counterclockwise rotation of the mandible. The results showed long-term stability and were maintained for six years through continual use of the tongue elevator. The results of this case indicated that a tongue elevator could be used not only as an alternative treatment for open-bite, but also as an active retainer.

• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2006

Cerebral palsy(CP) is one of the most common motor disease, due to brain injury during fetal and neonatal development which results in neuromotor paralysis and associated neuromuscular symptoms. Features of CP include motor disability due to the lack of muscle control, often accompanied by sensory disorders, mental retardation, speech disorders, hearing loss, epilepsy, behavior disorders, etc. There are increasing chances of treatment of dental patients with cerebral palsy, as the occurrence of CP is increasing with the decrease in infant mortality and an increase in immature birth and premature birth and also, there is a trend to pursue of higher quality of life. Reports on the relationship between CP and maxillofacial deformity are uncommon, but it is well known that the unbalance and discontrol of the facial muscles, lip, tongue and the jaws leads to malocclusion and temporomandibular joint disorders, and statistics show that class 2 relationship of the jaws and open bite is frequently reported. However, it is difficult to perform maxillofacial deformity treatment, which consists of orthodontic treatment, maxillofacial surgery and muscle adaptation training, due to difficulties in communication and problems of muscle adaptation caused by difficulties in motor control which leads to a high recurrence rate. This case report is to trearment of maxillofacial deformity in CP patient. A 26 year old female patient came to the department with the chief complaint of prognathism of the mandible and facial asymmetry. According to the past medical history, she was diagnosed as cerebral palsy 1 week after birth, classified as GMFC, classII accompanied with left side torticollis. The patient's intelligence was moderate, and there were no serious problems in communication. For two years time, the patient underwent lingual frenectomy, pre-operation orthodontic treatment and then bimaxillary orthognathic surgery to treat mandibular prognathism and facial asymmetry followed by rehabilitatory exercise of facial muscle. After 6 months of follow up, there was a good result. This is to report to the typical signs and symptoms of DFD in CP patient and the limitation of the usual method of the treatment of DFD in CP patient with literature review.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.357-367
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• 2022

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a disease characterized by repeated hypopnea and apnea during sleep due to complete or partial obstruction of upper airway. The prevalence of pediatric SDB is approximately 12 - 15%, and the most common age group is preschool children aged 3 - 5 years. Children show more varied presentations, from snoring and frequent arousals to enuresis and hyperactivity. The main cause of pediatric SDB is obstruction of the upper airway related to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. If SDB is left untreated, it can cause complications such as learning difficulties, cognitive impairment, behavioral problems, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and poor growth. Pediatric dentists are in a special position to identify children at risk for SDB. Pediatric dentists recognize clinical features related to SDB, and they should screen for SDB by using the pediatric sleep questionnaire (PSQ), lateral cephalometry radiograph, and portable sleep monitoring test and refer to sleep specialists. As a therapeutic approach, maxillary arch expansion treatment, mandible advancement device, and lingual frenectomy can be performed. Pediatric dentists should recognize that prolonged mouth breathing, lower tongue posture, and ankyloglossia can cause abnormal facial skeletal growth patterns and sleep problems. Pediatric dentists should be able to prevent these problems through early intervention.