Cheek and tongue pressures in the molar areas and the atmospheric pressurein the palatal vault in young adults

The pressures acting on the maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth from t he tongue and cheeks were measured in 24 adults aged 22-29 years. In additi on, the pressure in the palatal vault was recorded. The pressure at two maxillary (buccal and lingual) and two mandibular (bucc al and lingual) measuring points, and in the palatal vault was recorded sim ultaneously. Repeated recordings of the pressures at rest, and during chewi ng and swallowing were made. The pressures at rest were of similar magnitude (about 2 g/cm(2)) at the bu ccal and lingual sides of the mandibular posterior teeth. The median restin g pressure at the maxillary posterior teeth was 2.7 g/cm(2) on the buccal s ide and 1.0 g/cm(2) on the lingual side. The difference in the maxilla was significant, but not in the mandible. It was concluded that the equilibrium of tooth position is maintained by the pressure from the cheeks and the to ngue. During chewing and swallowing the pressures on the lingual side of the teet h were greater than those on the buccal side. At rest about half of the subjects had a negative pressure at the palatal v ault, but no correlations between the resting pressure at the palatal vault and the resting pressures on the teeth were found.