An oral myofunctional disorder includes a variety of habit patterns, postures and functional activities that open the dental bite beyond a normal resting or functional range. Thumb and finger sucking; a mouth-open posture with lips apart; a forward rest posture of the tongue; and thrusting of the tongue during speaking and swallowing characterize myofunctional disorders. Such disorders can lead to a disruption of normal dental development in children and over-eruption of selected teeth in adults. The consequence of postural and functional variations involving the lips and tongue are associated with dental malocclusion, cosmetic problems, and even abnormal changes in jaw growth in some patients.
Orofacial myofunctional clinicians are trained to identify and successfully treat the variety of myofunctional disorders. Myofunctional therapy can be basically described as rest posture therapy. Specific treatments involve establishing and stabilizing normal rest postures for tongue and lips, eliminating habit patterns, and correcting swallowing patterns when tongue thrusting is involved. Improvements in appearance are observed during and following therapy.
Myofunctional therapy often restores normal processes of dental eruption. It can also aid in the retention process following orthodontic treatment. In addition, therapy that is coordinated with dental or orthodontic treatment helps to enhance and maintain dental health for a lifetime of benefits.
Submitted by iaomAdmin on Thu, 10/22/2009 - 19:09