Altered oral sensory perception in tongue thrusters with an anterior open bite

The aim of this study was to evaluate oral sensory perception in patients with an anterior open bite (AOB) and associated tongue thrusting activity. This study was performed in the Department of Orthodontics, Government Dental Hospital, Chennai, on 30 subjects (16 females and 14 males) aged from 12 to 17 years with an AOB associated with a tongue thrust and in a control group of 100 subjects (53 females and 47 males aged from 12 to 17 years) with a normal occlusion and no oral habits. Stereognosis and two-point discrimination (2PD) were employed for evaluation of oral sensory perception. Statistical comparison was undertaken using a Student's t-test. Stereognostic ability was altered in children with an AOB associated with a tongue thrust (t = 15.2, probability of occurrence P < 0.01). The mean oral stereognostic score in the control group was 31.8 and in tongue thrusters 25.3. The AOB group also showed a diminished 2PD threshold at the tip of the tongue [control group 1.08 mm, tongue thrusters with an AOB 1.64 mm (t = 7.3, P < 0.01)]. This finding highlights the fact that the tongue plays a vital role in oral sensory perception. Oral stereognostic tests and 2PD as diagnostic tools are valuable in the evaluation of oral sensory perception.