Diagnosis of an oral muscle pattern problem might include chewing with the mouth open, smacking and other irritating noises while chewing, an overdeveloped mentalis muscle and a facial grimace during swallowing, and especially a low tongue rest position. If the tongue habitually rests down, the palate might not develop properly, and a high vault palate is a common occurrence in orofacial myofunctonal disorders.^viii

Mouth breathing and a low tongue rest posture are often associated with a forward head posture. The person brings their head forward in order to open the airway. Carrying heavy back packs or poor posture while working at the computer seem to exacerbate the overall postural problem.^ix

Myofunctional therapy might enhance a person’s quality of life. The occlusion, the airway, and posture may change due to the muscle adaptation.

Frenum attachments, both labial and lingual, that restrict proper function, should be released by an oral surgeon, a periodontist, an ENT, or a trained dentist as soon as possible. Historically, as soon as a baby was born, the baby’s frenum was released. Breast feeding was a matter of survival and if the baby had a difficult time latching on the breast, the baby could die. Now we have an option to bottle feed our babies. What we do not realize is that the baby who is bottle-fed exclusively, might later develop an orthodontic problem.^xix If the children are tongue tied, their tongue rests low on the floor of the mouth most likely contributing to a development of tongue thrust or high narrow palate. Also, they cannot swallow properly. At least two percent of all infants born need to have their frenums clipped.^xx It is much easier to have the tongue and lips frena done early and prevent as much as possible speech, dental, and orofacial functional problems. Now that lasers are commonly used in dentistry, some dentists use a soft tissue laser to sever the connective tissue frenum, unless it is a lingual posterior tongue-tie, which would require an oral surgeon to surgically assist by releasing the muscle fibers. Some oral surgeons feel that lasers might leave scar tissue to cause more problems. I have found if the patient will do myofunctional exercises after the surgery, scar tissue is minimal and function is adequate or optimal.

We work hand in hand with ENTs and Allergists in promoting correct nasal breathing and lip seal. Working together with the patient, we can achieve a palatal tongue rest posture, which will assist the orthodontist or functional dentist in achieving long term occlusal stability.

Large or infected tonsils might cause problems with swallowing. If the tonsils are large or infected constantly, the back of the tongue has to come forward to swallow because there is no room or it is painful to swallow correctly. Also, the airway might be blocked and the mouth breathing causes the tongue to rest down and forward.

Periodontal disease is now linked to heart disease and diabetes.^xxi If a patient mouth breathes, anterior gingivitis is prevalent.^xxii When will periodontal therapy include orofacial myofunctional treatment? Also, when the tongue is resting down and forward, the pressure of the tongue against the teeth may weaken the periodontal ligaments leading to traumatic occlusion and recession.

Because sleep dentistry is rapidly becoming a major part of dental treatment today, myofunctional therapy might be a valuable asset to aid in obtaining a better result.^xxvi

By adapting the muscle patterns to the sleep appliance, and re-patterning the lip seal and the tongue rest posture, oral myologists might make wearing a sleep appliance more comfortable, which will contribute to a higher compliance of consistent use.

Treatment planning includes:

• Parafunctional habit elimination.
• Intensive phase of a series of exercises to teach tongue rest position and establish a lip seal.
• Introduce proper chewing and swallowing and correct functional head and neck posture.
• The habituation phase which reinforces correct muscle memory pattern.

As dental hygienists, we all took vows to prevent dental disease. The proactive “green” treatment of myofunctional therapy might enhance the quality of life for many patients. Anterior or lateral tongue thrust patterns or resting positions are associated with open bites and swallowing pressure is directed forward and down rather than up and back.xxviii This might lead to a patient swallowing air, contributing to stomach aches, bloating, hiccups, burping and acid reflux, also called GERD.^xxiii

Habits might affect the TMJ.^xxiv Harmonious muscle pattern is important to correct a muscle related TMD. Myofunctional therapists are trained to eliminate habits, which might affect the TMJ. Also, habitual grinding and clenching affect the masseters and temporalis muscle function. It is always best to do the least invasive treatment first.

Orthognathic surgery relapses and orthodontic relapses might, many times, be prevented by myofunctional therapy.^xxv We can adapt the muscle patterns to the new bite and bone structure. In this way, we can be an important team player in the maintenance of a stable result.

Many dentists and orthodontists are now using functional appliances like the ALF appliance, the Bioblock, or the D&A appliance and myofunctional therapy to get fabulous results. Many times myofunctional therapy is built into the treatment plan from the beginning.

Myofunctional therapy might help the dental practice because patients want this treatment. In difficult financial times, people will understand the benefits of therapy. It is proactive and patients will really appreciate the referral. Thumb sucking therapy alone might make a huge lifestyle enhancement. We make it fun and easy to quit and the child feels proud and in control of his/her body. No more fighting the tongue and we might help to avoid orthodontic relapse from a low tongue rest position.

Four options I offer are:

• Habit elimination therapy such as thumb sucking therapy.
• Mini-Myo Program for the young child.
• The standard myofunctional program.
• A program for patients with special needs.

I currently teach four-day continuing education courses available to dentists, hygienists, and speech pathologists. It could be another profit center for the practice as well as helping patients proactively solve their orofacial myofunctional problems.

Osteopathic physicians who specialize in manual medicine understand the value of myofunctional therapy. They deal with birth trauma, airway issues, headaches, and many, many problems. They help by releasing the restrictions in the proper movement of the body and might be a great asset to a multidisciplinary team that includes orofacial myologists.

Therapy usually starts with establishing nasal airway (after clearance from an ENT and an Allergist) and developing a lip seal. If a patient habitually breathes through his/her mouth, the tongue rests down and the mandible drops down and back. The palate, in turn, might not develop correctly. A good myofunctional therapist will assist the patient to clear his/her nose, use correct abdominal (diaphragmatic) breathing, and then establish habitual nasal breathing.

Aesthetic changes from oral myology can motivate the patient to take a more active role in restoring teeth to create beautiful smiles.

The interdisciplinary or team approach is always the best. We must know what each other does and how together we can influence the prognosis for the best result possible and the best care possible.

If you would like to start a myofunctional aspect of treatment in your practice, send your hygienist or you, yourself, can attend a four-day class taught in areas all over the country.