Influence of Myofunctional Therapy on Upper Intercanine Distance

Abstract

Objectives: The study was designed to investigate the correlation between myofunctional exercises, including repositioning of the tongue onto the palate and changes in intercanine distance of the upper jaw in non-growing patients. Methods:In this retrospective study a total of 141 women and men above the age of 18, treated by the Coulson Institute of Orofacial Myology, with no simultaneous orthodontic therapy, were included. All subjects have participated in a myofunctional therapy program for at least 8 months. The training consisted of various muscle exercises for the lips, cheeks, tongue and body posture and breathing. Additionally, the patients put a small dissolvable gelatine pad onto the palate three times a day to assist the swallowing function. Throughout therapy the length of the philtrum, intercanine distance and overjet were measured.Results: After 8 sessions the average intercanine distance increased by 3.2 mm, the philtrum elongated by 5.4 mm and the overjet decreased by 1.2 mm. Conclusion:The results indicate that tooth position can be changed by muscle therapy, even in non-growing subjects. This implies that muscle training can be a highly supportive therapy for orthodontic treatment.

Influence of non-orthodontic intervention on digit sucking and consequent anterior open bite: a preliminary study

“…The NOI implemented in this study was mainly composed of guidance of the tongue position and behaviour shaping with positive reinforcement. To guide the tongue tip to rest close to the incisive papilla, a small hole‐punched stomahesive wafer with a diameter of 5 mm was placed on and attached to the wiped incisive papilla ( Figure a,b ). Children were trained to carry out the procedure three times per day with parents' supervision and assistance.…”

“…The spot of stomahesive wafer eventually melted and peeled off without being aspirated or causing harm. Indeed, this material has been safely and widely used in medical and dental practice, as well as in the food industry. Guidance of the tongue position though use of a stomahesive wafer spot was accompanied by a behaviour‐shaping programme, which involved recording positive behaviour on reward charts and regular telephone calls from patients and parents to a trained orofacial myologist and dental hygienist.…”

“…A non‐orthodontic intervention (NOI), comprising guidance of the tongue position and behaviour shaping with positive reinforcement, was therefore developed. To guide the tongue to the correct rest position, a small, round piece of gelatin material was placed onto the palate. This inexpensive and reduced technique‐oriented approach has been used in clinical practice by some orofacial myologists.…”

“…This inexpensive and reduced technique‐oriented approach has been used in clinical practice by some orofacial myologists. We believe that only a recent study described this intervention which exclusively used adult samples with unreported oral conditions. No data related to the use of NOI to correct digit sucking in children have ever been reported.…”

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

“…5 Furthermore, it has been shown that changes in the dental formation can be influenced by myofunctional therapy even in non-growing patients. 6 Prefabricated unctional appliances have demonstrated to produce favorable outcomes in children mainly with Class II, division 1 malocclusion. 7,8 Myobrace® appliances are prefabricated functional appliances with tooth positioning and myofunctional training characteristics, which are used to correct malocclusions in the developing child, in conjunction with myofunctional therapy-through the Myobrace Activities™ protocol.…”