Evaluation of Resting Tongue Position in Recently Extracted and Long Term Completely Edentulous Patients: A Prospective Interventional Study

INTRODUCTION: Presence of abnormal resting tongue position can lead to poor denture retention and stability. The prevalence of retracted tongue position has been found to be higher in partially edentulous subjects compared to dentate subjects and is greatest in completely edentulous individuals.

AIM: To evaluate resting tongue position in recently extracted and long term completely edentulous patients, and to evaluate the efficacy of achieving retracted tongue position by simple modification in complete denture along with certain tongue exercises.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 62 study subjects were classified into two groups based on duration of edentulousness. Group A: Recently extracted completely edentulous subjects (<1 year), Group B: Long term completely edentulous subjects (>1-10 year). The patients with retracted tongue position were subjected to a simple modification in complete denture along with inclusion of certain tongue exercises. After eight months patients were recalled and evaluated. The data was analysed using SPSS statistical tests like mean, standard deviation, proportion, Chi square test and McNemar Test.

RESULTS: Among the study subjects, 54.9% had retracted tongue position. Group B showed high proportion of retracted tongue position (68.8%) as compared to Group A. After the intervention, 42.8% study subjects gained normal resting tongue position.

CONCLUSION: Long term completely edentulous subjects presented retracted tongue position in higher percentage when compared to the recently extracted group. The interventional method employed for the subjects with retracted tongue position, played a significant role to assume normal resting tongue position and showed improvement in denture stability and retention.