Orofacial myofuncional therapy. Oral Myology. Myofunctional therapy.
Most people have never heard these words and have no idea what they mean,
so let's discuss them.
The easy answer:
Orofacial = oral/facial regions of the body
Myofunctional = muscle function
Therapy = a program designed to restore optimal function(s) of identified injuries, diseases, or ailments
The full answer:
As defined by The Breathe Institute, "Myofunctional therapy [MFT] is a program used to correct the improper function of the tongue and facial muscles. It involves strengthening of the tongue and orofacial muscles by teaching individuals how to engage the muscles to the appropriate position [2]."
The ultimate goal of MFT is to restore the proper function of oral and facial muscles by addressing and correcting orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) that are impacting a patient's breathing, sleeping, eating, speaking, and/or growth and development.
Research indicates a prevalence of OMDs in 38% of the general population with up to 81% in children exhibiting speech/articulation problems. [3]
Before therapy can start, a patient and their provider must first identify what OMDs the patient is experiencing in order to create a treatment protocol that addresses each patient's individual needs.
Top symptoms associated with OMDs [1]
Mouth Breathing
Enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids
ADD/ADHD-type behavior
Forward head posture
Restless sleep & frequent wakings
Chronic ear infections
Ear tubes
Sleep disorders - sleep apnea
Clenching
Grinding
Snoring
Speech problems
Tongue thrust
TMJ disorders
Infant feeding problems
Tongue tie
Lip tie
Malocclusions (misaligned teeth)
Relapse of orthodontic treatment
Cavities
Gum disease
Restricted growth of upper and/or lower jaw
Vaulted palate
Allergic shiners / venous pooling
Tinnitus (ringing of the ears)
Orthodontists have documented their concerns
about OMDs since the early 1900s. [3]
What causes OMD symptoms to develop?
The causes of OMDs are different for each patient and can vary from one to several factors impacting proper oral and facial functions.
Some of the most common causes include the following [3]
A restricted nasal airway due to enlarged tonsils/adenoids, deviated septum, and/or allergies
Improper oral habits such as thumb or finger sucking; cheek/nail/cuticle biting; teeth clenching and grinding; and tongue, lip, or cheek sucking
Extended use of a pacifier and/or long-term use of sippy cups
Structural or physiological abnormalities, which may include short lingual frenulum (tongue tie)
Neurological deficits and developmental delays
Hereditary predisposition
However, the general "rule" within the world of orofacial myofunctional therapy is that "form follows function." This means that the hard tissues of the face and mouth -- the bone -- will form and adapt around how the soft tissues -- the muscles of the tongue and cheeks -- function, whether they function correctly or incorrectly.
Treatment options
Treatment of orofacial myofunctional disorders is a process that typically involves several providers and disciplines within medical specialties including general dentists; orthodontists; ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physicians; myofunctional therapists; physical therapists; craniosacral therapists; speech therapists; sleep physicians; and more.
Watch for future posts that will go into more detail
about treatment options for OMDs!
Failure to address an OMD [3]
Long-term mouth breathing patterns that compromise overall healthy breathing
Establishment of detrimental oral habits that impede further growth and development
Establishment of atypical patterns that impact chewing and swallowing
The improper development & alignment of teeth
The improper growth and development of the upper and lower jaws and facial structures
Slower process of orthodontic treatment
Undermined long-term stability of orthodontic treatment resulting in malocclusion relapse
Negative impaction on the stability and function of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
Speech distortions
Negative affect on social relationships due to open-mouth posture or noisy chewing and swallowing patterns
If any of this information sounds familiar, it's time to get checked out by a provider with specialized training in airway disorders, which can be rather difficult to find in several areas of the country/world. Why? Because comprehensive airway evaluations, training on assessment and treatment of tongue/lip ties, and myofunctional therapy are not taught or included in the curriculum for medical or dental schools including specialty programs like a pediatric dentistry residency or ENT residency.
Most providers with advanced training in airway disorders have had to seek out their own further education after receiving their degrees and have done so because they have realized they're missing critical pieces to treating their patients at a true systemic health level.
Myofunctional Therapy has helped thousands of people in countries all over the world, and there are many studies demonstrating its effectiveness in treating OMDs. [3]
Studies have shown that orofacial myofunctional therapy
can be 80-90% effective in correcting rest posture, swallowing, and other oral functions and that these corrections are retained years after completing therapy. [3]
If you're looking for an airway provider or looking to become an airway provider, some of the top resources to look into are the following organizations focused on training providers in the treatment of airway and myofunctional disorders:
International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM)
Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT)
The Breathe Institute - Dr. Soroush Zaghi, MD
Alabama Tongue Tie Center - Dr. Richard Baxter, DMD, MS
MyoMentor by Sarah Hornsby
Airway Circle by Renata Nehme, RDH, BSDH, COM®
If you have any questions or input, feel free to comment below! We can all benefit and learn from hearing different perspectives and having constructive discussions.
Talk soon,
Liz Laney, Myofunctional Therapist
*None of the information included in this post is intended to be medical advice. Please talk with your healthcare provider(s) before making lifestyle changes or starting/stopping any medications and/or diets.
Resources
1. Merkel-Walsh R. Pediatric Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy: The Four Myo Domains. Dental Sleep Practice. May 25, 2022. https://dentalsleeppractice.com/pediatric-orofacial-myofunctional-therapy-the-four-myo-domains/.
2. Myofunctional therapy. zaghimd. https://www.zaghimd.com/myofunctional-therapy.
3. What are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)? IAOM - International Association of Orofacial Myology. https://www.iaom.com/faq/.
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