Effect of Tongue Plate on maxillary deficiency in growing patients

Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of tongue plate on growing patients with maxillary deficiency. Material: 21 Iranian patients with skeletal CL III malocclusion due to maxillary deficiency were selected from private practice in Tehran (13 girls and 8 boys with average age 10.4 years) with the mean of observation time of 19.7 months. Method: Initial Cephalometric X-Rays, Photographs and study models were taken. A removable upper appliance combined with tongue plate applied to cage the tongue in order to transfer the tongue force to the maxillary complex during the physiological and functional activity of the tongue and improve the tongue malfunction and malposition. Result: Analyzing initial and final cephalograms showed a considerable increase in the length of the anterior posterior (P<0.05) and the angular measurement of SNA increase significantly (P<0.03). Discussion and conclusion: The skeletal component movement due to this type of treatment might be masked by tooth lingualization regarding to loss of tongue activity on the palatal and lingual surface of upper and lower dentition, which is the disadvantage of tongue plate application. On the other hand, The disadvantages of applying the face mask to deliver anterior force to the maxillary complex is that it is too much bulky and regarding to its appearance it is not acting to favor the patient's interest. Therefore, applying the intra oral appliance as the tongue plate was more acceptable by our patients and was successful to deliver the tongue force, which might be around 5 pounds. This force is an intermittent force, which is more favorable and efficient in comparing with continues forces.