Effectiveness of orofacial myofunctional therapy in orthodontic patients: A systematic review

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of the present systematic review was to determine the existence of scientific evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) as an adjuvant to orthodontic treatment in individuals with orofacial disorders. A further aim was to assess the methodological quality of the studies included in the review.MethodsAn electronic search was performed in eight databases (Medline, BBO, LILACS, Web of Science, EMBASE, BIREME, Cochrane Library and SciELO) for papers published between January 1965 and March 2011, with no language restrictions. Selection of articles and data extraction were performed by two independent researchers. The quality of the selected articles was also assessed.ResultsSearch strategy resulted in the retrieval of 355 publications, only four of which fulfilled the eligibility criteria and qualified for final analysis. All papers selected had a high risk of bias.ConclusionsThe findings of the present systematic review demonstrate the scarcity of consistent studies and scientific evidence supporting the use of OMT in combination with orthodontic treatment to achieve better results in the correction of dentofacial disorders in individuals with orofacial abnormalities.

Myofunctional therapy and prefabricated functional appliances: an overview of the history and evidence

“…A recent systematic review concluded that most OMT research to date has been of a poor standard . Although those authors identified 355 relevant publications on OMT, only four met the inclusion criteria and these were deemed to be at a ‘high risk of bias’ due flaws in study design.…”

Interception of Malocclusion in the Mixed Dentition with Prefabricated Appliances and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

“…As such, further studies with more rigorous methodology should be carried out to determine the actual effectiveness of myofunctional therapy. 25 To conclude, this clinical case demonstrates the effectiveness of prefabricated functional appliances (Myobrace®) appliances, in conjunction with orofacial myofunctional therapy, for the early treatment of a developing malocclusion (Class II/division 2 incisor relationship) in the mixed dentition and could be considered in treatment planning. Prospective clinical studies with adequate sample size and sample selection are needed to assess the combined effect of such appliances with myofunctional exercises and to determine the contribution of each factor to the correction of the developing malocclusion.…”

Multidirectional lip‐closing force in adult females after short‐term lip training

“…The lips, which directly contact the anterior teeth, have been reported to influence malocclusion, for example proclined or retroclined anterior teeth . Lip training has been reported to improve such malocclusion . In particular, anterior open bite has been shown to be successfully treated utilising myofunctional therapy .…”