The age of the patient is not as important as their motivation to succeed. Children as young as 4 years old can be seen for an evaluation, however 7-8 year olds are ideal candidates to receive myofunctional therapy. Teenagers and adults of all ages can benefit from therapy and are capable of success in the program.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF A THERAPY PROGRAM?
Therapy is usually recommended with a goal of facilitating normal growth and development which leads to a stable oral environment. The programs are designed to retrain patterns of muscle function and to aid in the creation and maintenance of a healthy, stable orofacial environment.
Goals of treatment may include:
Creating an awareness of selected musculature
Reshaping/ toning appropriate musculature
Developing normal neuromuscular functions
Establishing a routine to achieve habituation
However, the primary goal of therapy is to recapture a normal freeway space (the space between the upper and lower teeth) by eliminating noxious sucking habits, repositioning a low, forward or between the teeth tongue posture, teaching a closed- lips, nasal breathing posture, retraining and eliminating an incorrect chewing and swallowing pattern, and normalizing (opening) a clenching or closed dental rest posture.
WHAT IS OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY?
During therapy, the clinician uses specialized exercises to establish correct functional activities of the tongue, lips and jaws. These exercises can eliminate or greatly reduce drooling, lip biting, food chewing problems, open lip resting posture, and incorrect swallowing patterns.
Studies have shown that therapy can be 80-90% effective in correcting swallowing and rest posture functions. These corrections are usually maintained years after completing therapy.
The two primary causes of unsuccessful treatment are AIRWAY ISSUES and lack of cooperation or compliance with therapy.
