DETERMINATION OF TONGUE MOBILITY AS A CRITERION OF ANATOMICAL-FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS

Abstract

The tongue is one of the mobile elements of the articulation system. For the correct formation of sounds, a complete section of speech mobility is necessary. If the mobility of the tongue is reduced, the sounds may slightly, moderately or strongly deviate from the correct ones. Violation of the articulation of the tongue during sound pronunciation inevitably leads to a violation of the position of individual teeth, deformation of the dentition and malocclusion, as well as attempts to conduct orthodontic treatment without speech therapy correction and functional restructuring complicate it and do not give a stable result. Purpose of the study. Determination of tongue mobility as part of diagnostic screening of the maxillofacial region in children with anatomical and functional abnormalities. Research materials and methods. To achieve the goal set out in this study, patients aged between 5 and 12 years (n=122) were examined. Distal and mesial occlusions, as well as open, deep and cross bites, were diagnosed in 72.1% (n=88) of cases. The observation group consisted of children in whom dentognatic deformations in the sagittal, vertical and transverse planes were not detected in 27.9% (n=34). In the process of conducting functional tests, I-IV degrees of tongue mobility were established. Results and their discussion. Scientific evidence of the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment is based on the criteria of changes in anthropometric indicators of the dentition and comparison of the results of functional tests. Functional diagnostics is important in determining the needs for treatment and building algorithms for preventive measures. This study highlights the need for comprehensive rehabilitation of children with dentognatic deformities, patients with I degree of mobility, when establishing violations of the phonetic side of speech, are prescribed standard corrective speech therapy exercises, with II degree – speech therapy correction for the formation of kinetic / kinestatic praxis and articulation patterns of disturbed groups of sounds. Patients with III degree – orofacial myofunctional exercises are prescribed, along with the use of additional speech therapy technologies. In cases of a short frenulum, surgical intervention to lengthen it should be carried out. Conclusion. For the purpose of high-quality prevention and treatment of patients with dentofacial deformities, it is advisable to determine the mobility of the tongue within the diagnostic screening of the maxillofacial area of children with its anatomical and functional disorders. The degree of mobility of the tongue indicates the possibility of performing functions, namely: difficulty or inability to protrude the tongue beyond the oral cavity, to lick the lips, to raise the tongue towards the palate, and speech disorders