Real-time balanced turbo field echo cine-magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of tongue movements during deglutition in subjects with anterior open bite

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate tongue movements in subjects with anterior dental open bites during deglutition by using real-time balanced turbo field echo cine-magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: The study included 28 subjects. Two groups were formed according to the presence of anterior open bite (at least 2 mm). The open-bite group (OBG) consisted of 18 patients (14 girls, 4 boys) with a mean age of 14.5 ± 2.7 years. The control group (CG) consisted of 10 patients (5 girls, 5 boys) with a mean age of 14.5 ± 2.6 years. We evaluated deglutition during 3 stages: oral (stage 1), pharyngeal (stage 2), and esophageal stage (3). Results: Results indicated that (1) in the OBG, from stage 2 to stage 3, the anterior portion of the tongue dorsum lowered whereas its midportion elevated; (2) in the CG, its posterior portion was elevated from stage 2 to stage 3; (3) in the CG, the tongue tip was positioned more anteriorly at stage 2 than at stage 1; (4) in the OBG, the tongue tip moved more anteriorly in all stages of deglutition than in the CG. Conclusions: Compensatory tongue functions occur in patients with anterior dental open bites. Dynamic MRI is a promising tool for evaluating swallowing patterns in these patients.