Evaluation of the dental and skeletal effects of tongue crib in treatment of skeletal Cl III malocclusion

Abstract

Treating skeletal abnormalities during growth period of children is one of the important and difficult issues in pediatric dentistry. And treating skeletal Cl III malocclusions is one of the most challenging jobs which pediatric dentists face. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental and skeletal effects of tongue crib in treatment of skeletal Cl III malocclusions. Materials and methods: In this Quasiexperimental before-after study 12 patients were treated with Tongue crib. It was a removable appliance which was used for at least 16 hours a day. Patients were under treatment for approximately a year and at the end of treatment a cephalogram was taken for each patient. Results: An increase in SNA was seen which represents the more anterior position of the maxilla. The anterior-posterior growth of the mandible was continued. The mandibular incisors were retruded and maxillary incisors showed a protrusion. Forward rotation of the maxilla was seen and no significant change in soft tissue was observed in nasolabial region. Conclusion: Tongue crib is effective in treatment of skeletal and dental Cl III malocclusions in maxillary deficient patients and causes maxillary protraction and so improve the saggital relationship of the jaws.