International Journal of Orofacial Myology

This article addresses selected concepts and procedures related to orofacial myology in a question and answer format. Topics include tongue-tip placement for swallowing; a masseter-contraction swallow; temporary anchorage devices utilized in orthodontic treatment; relapse following orthodontic treatment; some advantages and disadvantages of fixed and removable orthodontic appliances; the extraction of teeth in orthodontic treatment; posterior and anterior crossbite considerations; and the importance of recasting the emphasis and focus of myofunctional therapy to orofacial rest posture therapy...

A critical review of the literature is presented covering the treatment of childhood thumbsucking habits using fixed intraoral habit appliances (hayrake, palatal crib). The habit appliances are classified into type and function. Data is tabulated for key references revealing the fragmented and distorted nature of the literature and its lack of consistency. A chronological approach is presented to confirm the confused and idiosyncratic character of the literature. Information is provided on the early work of Massler and Graber and the paradox of Mack, Korner and Reider...

A number of developmental changes occur in eating patterns from infancy through childhood. Initially a primitive reflexive process, deglutition develops into a complex, integrated voluntary/reflexive process. The movements of the tongue, lips and mandible are easily observed to undergo a transformation from synergistic, undifferentiated movements in the infant, to differentiated and refined movements required for biting, chewing, bolus formation and propulsion in the toddler and young child. This transformation is also crucial for the development of higher levels of articulatory precision and coordination required for verbal communication...

The article describes measurements and measuring devices as they apply to assessment, therapy and research in orofacial myology and myofunctional therapy. Although the list is by no means complete, a wide range of items, their objectivity, complexity, applicability and accuracy is presented.

Orofacial myofunctional disorders include specific conditions or behaviors that can have a negative impact on oral postures and functions. Historically, interest has focused on behaviors in the horizontal plane, highlighted by tongue thrusting. Currently, the scope of practice also includes tongue forward posturing, lip incompetence, open mouth rest posture, thumb and finger sucking, bruxism, and biting habits involving lips, fingers, tongue and cheeks. The common denominator for myofunctional conditions is a change in the inter-dental arch vertical rest posture dimension, the dental freeway space...

Twenty-two fundamental methods of jaw, lip, and tongue facilitation were derived from a set of 84 textbooks, clinical guidebooks, and conference proceedings. 95.24% of publications reviewed contained one or more of these twenty-two methods. A description of each technique with examples is provided.

The purposes of this study were to evaluate maternal attitudes and knowledge towards digit sucking habits and to investigate the association between various factors and the presence of these habits. A cross-sectional sample of 150 mothers of children currently engaged in digit sucking habits were interviewed. The information collected was from a questionnaire completed by the mothers. The analyzed data regarding the mothers revealed that younger mothers represented 54% of the sample, 47.3% were well-educated and 70...

The definition of health literacy is provided along with information substantiating its importance. Focused initiatives, the consequences of poor health literacy, and at-risk populations are briefly discussed. The focus of this article is the application of health literacy principles to the discipline of orofacial myology and how the promotion of health literacy facilitates positive growth for patients, orfacial myologists, and the professions. The article concludes with a vision for a health literate society...

Exercise therapy has been indicated for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), but few reports are available about the effect of orofacial myofunctional therapy, which includes working with stomatognathic functions, in patients with TMD. A 49-year-old man with a diagnosis of TMD-hypermobility and orofacial myofunctional disorders received combined treatment with orofacial myofunctional therapy and an occlusal splint. Clinical evaluation and the scale of symptom severity after 9 treatment sessions and during follow-up compared to the phase before treatment suggested that treatment was of great benefit...

Current literature on oral motor control reports contradictory findings regarding physiological, functional and sensory changes that occur in the muscles of the tongue with normal aging. It has been suggested that the high level of activity required of tongue muscles in mastication and speech may play a role in preserving them when other skeletal muscles are more likely to show functional effects of such changes. To test whether indeed tongue movements remain unaltered in both speech and swallowing tasks as a function of aging, kinematic measures of tongue dorsum movements were taken as 21 healthy young (20-30) and older (65-74) adults performed repeated iterations of speech tasks and a sequential water swallowing task...

Publications throughout the world attribute to the artificial teat and the pacifier (dummy) the reason why some mothers, who suspend breast-feeding for a while, are unable to resume it afterwards. The authors wanted to evaluate the specific characteristics of the various commercially made teats and pacifiers. This evaluation examined the physical characteristics of such commercially available teats. It has been possible to affirm that the specific features of the various teats tested are important in the resumption of breast-feeding after such an interruption...

The article describes measurements and measuring devices as they apply to assessment, therapy and research in orofacial myology and myofunctional therapy. Although the list is by no means complete, a wide range of items, their objectivity, complexity, applicability and accuracy is presented.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Palatal Augmentation Prosthesis (PAP) for an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patient. The patient's palatogram was taken during swallowing to assess her lingual function. A PAP was provided to assist her with feeding and swallowing functions. The patient's lingual pressure strength showed increases, and she was able to feed well using PAP. This devise was useful for assisting lingual dysfunctions due to various diseases.

Orofacial myofunctional deficits in elderly individuals impact nutrition, swallowing, speech, quality of life, and other aesthetic functions. This paper explores briefly the common orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD) due to various etiologies. Ideally, the available evidence suggests that an interdisciplinary team should be able to diagnose and document effectively the OMD and provide evidence-based services to the clientele.

The aim of this study was to evaluate occlusal and orofacial myofunctional characteristics in children three to five years of age with anterior open bite related to a pacifier sucking habit. Sixty-nine children participated in this study: 35 with anterior open bite (Anterior Open Bite Group - AOBG) and 34 with normal occlusion (Control Group - CG). In AOBG, the mean anterior open bite was 2.96 mm, the mean overjet was 4.1 mm and the mean upper intercanine distance was 28.7 mm. In the CG, the mean overjet was 2...

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to establish a quantitative method to classify lingual frenulum as normal and altered. METHODS: 98 people were included in this study. All measurements were made with maxium opening of the mouth. A digital caliper was used to measure the length of the frenulum under three conditions: a) with the tongue tip on the incisal papilla; b) with the tongue sucked up and maintained against the hard palate; and c) with tongue stretching over a spatula...

352 children radiologically identified with asymmetry in the occipito-cervical region were assessed on a number of myofunctional measures. In all children an orthopedic examination was conducted including a functional test of the upper cervical spine and the iliac joint, the postural test by Matthiass, as well as gait analysis. During a second examination the orofacial myofunctional status was recorded. In general, about 70% of the children revealed orofacial myofunctional disorders. Correlational analysis was conducted in order to determine whether specific myofunctional variables were associated with postural and orthopedic alterations...

Changes in tongue and hand strength measurements of men with Parkinson's Disease and aged-matched controls across multiple days were examined. The Iowa Oral Performance Instrument measured tongue and hand strength during four consecutive days and at day 11. Peak tongue strength measurements occurred on day 3 with a small decrease on day 4, which was maintained at day 11, indicating a significant increase in tongue strength measurements with task repetition in multiple days. No change in hand strength measurements was noted over days...

Orofacial myofunctional disorders include specific conditions or behaviors that can have a negative impact on oral postures and functions. Historically, interest has focused on behaviors in the horizontal plane, highlighted by tongue thrusting. Currently, the scope of practice also includes tongue forward posturing, lip incompetence, open mouth rest posture, thumb and finger sucking, bruxism, and biting habits involving lips, fingers, tongue and cheeks. The common denominator for myofunctional conditions is a change in the inter-dental arch vertical rest posture dimension, the dental freeway space...

Incorrectly produced speech sounds, the presence of dentofacial alterations and acquired functional adaptations may be due to a short and inadequate lingual frenum. When frenectomy is indicated, it should be performed as early as possible to prevent functional alterations. This study presents a literature review on correct lingual positioning in relation to orthodontic and phonetic function as well as an assessment of 15 patients who underwent frenectomy utilizing the carbon dioxide laser. The results demonstrated that this technique is safe, effective and perfect for use in young children and can be performed in an outpatient unit...