A Review on Role of Tongue in Malocclusion

Tongue is the most agile, versatile appendage in the body. It is the largest organ of the oral cavity. Dental arches are enveloped on both the sides by muscular tissues. Tongue alone counteracts various buccal forces exerted by cheek and lip musculature. Precise balance between these forces is utmost importance for normal inter and intra arch relationship. The unstable forces induced by abnormal functions such as mouth breathing, tongue thrust, swallowing and unilateral chewing and abnormal postures of oral circumferential muscles such as forward tongue thrust, tongue biting, low tongue at rest were correlated with varieties of malocclusion. Thus it is necessary for proper understanding of these structures. The purpose of this article is to discuss the role of tongue in malocclusion.