Genioglossis muscle electrical activity and associated arch dimensional changes in simple tongue thrust swallow pattern

Twenty schoolchildren between the age groups of 12-14 years with permanent dentition were the subjects of this study. Group A comprised of ten subjects with Angle's Class I occlusion. Group B consisted of ten subjects having Angle's Class I occlusion with anterior open bite and simple tongue thrust swallow pattern. Evaluation of electrical activity of genioglossus muscle and associated arch dimensional changes were performed in both groups A and B. Frequency of electrical activity of the genioglossus muscle and duration of swallow was found to be significantly higher in tongue thrusters than in the normal subjects. No statistically significant changes were observed in both upper and lower arches of Groups A and B in terms of bimolar and bipremolar width and palatal depth. A significant increase in the extent of anterior teeth proclination in the upper arch in the tongue thrust individuals was attributed to the effect of the increased frequency of electrical activity of the genioglossus muscle and prolonged duration of swallow.