Comparative cephalometric evaluation of tongue position in subjects with skeletal class II division 1 and division 2 malocclusion

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the position of the tongue from rest to centric occlusion in subjects with skeletal class II division 1 and skeletal class II division 2 malocclusions with subjects of skeletal class II normal occlusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 30 individuals equally divided into three groups of skeletal class II division (div) 1, skeletal class II div 2, and skeletal class I normal occlusion. The study was conducted on two lateral cephalograms for each subject: one taken at rest and one in centric occlusion. RESULTS: On evaluation of tongue posture, a statistically significant difference was observed at the middle portion of the tongue in class II div 1 malocclusion, and at the posteromedial portion of the dorsum of the tongue in class II div 2 skeletal malocclusions as the tongue moved from rest to centric occlusion. While statistically significant differences were found between class II div 2 malocclusion and class I normal occlusion, no statistically significant differences were observed between class II div 1 and class II div 2 malocclusions. CONCLUSION: Tongue position was observed to be the same in both class II div 1 and class II div 2 malocclusions, with no statistically significant differences. However, a great change was seen in the tongue position from rest to centric occlusion.