Oral Myofunctional Therapy

A treatment approach known as Oral Myofunctional Therapy has been shown to be effective in correcting oral myofunctional disorders such as Tongue Thrust swallow.  This type of treatment has also been referred to as Orofacial Myology.  Treatment may be received before, during, or following orthodontic treatment.

Goals Of Therapy

  • Establishing oral, lingual, and facial muscle patterns which promote correct function of these structures during drinking, chewing, collecting, and swallowing of food.
  • Elimination of damaging oral habits (digit sucking, nail biting, etc.).
  • Reduction of unnecessary tension and pressure in the muscles of the face and mouth.
  • Strengthening of muscles that do not adequately support normal functioning.
  • Development of normal resting postures of the tongue, jaw, and facial muscles.
  • Instruction in the correct swallowing of saliva.

These goals are accomplished by a series of exercises which focus first on retraining the oral, lingual and facial muscles so that the correct rest postures may be achieved; and then utilizing these new muscle patterns for habituating the correct labial/lingual rest postures and correct chewing, collecting and swallowing.

In Oral Myofunctional Therapy, the main muscles of concern to the therapist are:

  • Temporalis
  • Masseter
  • Medial and Lateral Pterygoids
  • Buccinator
  • Orbicularis Oris
  • Mentalis
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References


Chen, J. (2010). What’s New: Myofunctional Therapy. Retrieved from http://www.speechtherapyct.com/whats_new/myofunctional%20therapy.pdf

Craddock & Associates (2008). Welcome to "The Stretching Post" Anatomy. Retrieved from http://professionalmassagetherapist.org/anatomy/anatomy_Results.php

Grider, R. (n.d). Myofunctional Therapy. Retreived from http://www.mnvoiceandspeech.com/myofunctionaltherapy.html

Integrated Publishing (n.d). Muscle anatomy of mastication. Retrieved from http://www.tpub.com/content/medical/14274/css/14274_49.htm

Moeller, J.L. (2010).Orofacial myofunctional therapy: A creative way to make a difference in patients' lives. Retrieved from http://www.dentistryiq.com/index/display/article-display/371459/articles/rdh/volume-29/issue-11/feature/orofacial-myofunctional-therapy.html