Signs of an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder
Tongue Thrust
Tongue thrusting is the habit of pushing the tongue forward between the upper and lower front teeth when swallowing. The proper position for the tip of the tongue is to push against the gum above the back of the upper front teeth, rather than between the upper and lower teeth.
Open Bite
A variety of causes are responsible for the compulsion to continually push one’s tongue forward; discerning which it is in any one case depends on the person. If a young child sucks his or her thumb at an early age – and does not stop the habit by the age of four, warns the American Dental Association (ADA) – the upper and lower teeth can become altered in a way that creates a dental condition called “open bite.”
Open Mouth Breathing
Along with a tongue thrust, the identification and treatment of an open-mouth breathing posture and weak lip seal is extremely important for your patients. Mouth breathing may be habitual or due to an obstruction.
Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional Therapy
Most recent scientific literature has shown that treatment for orofacial myofunctional disorders can be 80-90% effective in correcting swallow and rest posture functions. It also shows these corrections are retained years after successful completion of treatment (Hahn & Hahn, 1992).
Patients are individually evaluated to discover all of the factors, which may be involved. This is especially important where there are dental, medical, or speech concerns. The professionally-trained orofacial myologist will make the decision whether or not the patient would benefit from treatment. A multidisciplinary professional approach is vital to successful treatment and includes: dentists, orthodontists, allergists, and physicians.
