[Good results using maxillary tongue guard for Class III patients with comparatively shallow overbite].

Abstract

A maxillary tongue guard was used in conjunction with a chin-cap for the treatment of shallow overbite. Correction of the overbite proved to be very rapid. Follow-up treatment also proceeded very smoothly. The tongue guard has been designed to cure the habit of tongue-thrusting, to prevent tongue retraction and lifting of the tongue posture, and to relieve the tongue pressure against the lower anterior teeth, so that the tongue pressure is communicated to the upper dentition and maxilla. The following results were observed. 1. Lower lip pressure caused lingual movement of the mandibular anterior teeth, while elimination of tongue pressure lengthened to mandibular anteriors. 2. Retraction of the tongue posture and hyoid bone resulted in the retraction of the mandible. 3. Communication of tongue pressure resulted in mesial movement of the maxillary dentition and stimulated the growth of the maxilla.