[A randomized controlled study on the effectiveness of tongue muscle training in orthodontic treatment for adults with skeletal class Ⅱ malocclusion and abnormal swallowing].

Authors

H Tang, L Q Han, Y Q Du, F Y Zhai, W Wang, B Yan

Published in

Zhonghua kou qiang yi xue za zhi = Zhonghua kouqiang yixue zazhi = Chinese journal of stomatology. Volume 61. Issue 11. Pages 1585-1592. Nov 05, 2026. Epub Nov 05, 2026.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of tongue muscle training on tongue muscle strength, swallowing function and tongue position in adult patients with skeletal class Ⅱ malocclusion and abnormal swallowing during orthodontic treatment, and to assess whether these effects are maintained after training discontinuation, thereby providing clinical evidence for the application of orofacial muscle function training in orthodontic practice. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. Thirty-eight adult patients with skeletal class Ⅱ malocclusion and atypical swallowing who underwent extraction orthodontic treatment in the Department of Orthodontics, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, between September 2024 and September 2025 were enrolled, and these patients were randomly divided into the training group (n=19) and the control group (n=19). The training group received an 8-week tongue pressure resistance training program during the anterior retraction period, while the control group received no intervention. Maximum tongue pressure, dry and wet swallowing pressure, swallowing time, and 50% maximum tongue pressure holding time were measured at baseline, at the end of 4-week, 8-week training periods, and 4 weeks and 8 weeks after detraining. Cone-beam CT was used to evaluate changes in tongue position and intraoral airway volume in both groups before and after training or corresponding time point. Results: The maximum tongue pressures in the 4-week training group [(37.72±5.50) kPa] and 8-week training group [(38.08±6.73) kPa] were significantly higher than those in the corresponding control groups [(32.38±5.86) kPa and (32.79±6.73) kPa, P<0.05], respectively. Dry and wet swallowing durations in the 8-week training group [(1.77±0.52) s and (1.54±0.51) s] were significantly reduced compared with the corresponding control groups [(2.33±0.68) s and (1.95±0.58) s, P<0.05]. Conclusions: Tongue muscle training may improve tongue muscle strength and some swallowing function parameters in adults with skeletal class Ⅱ malocclusion and atypical swallowing, with effects possibly maintained in the short term.

PMID:
43000835
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 09 Nov 2026.

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