Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) are atypical, adaptive patterns that emerge in the absence of normalized patterns within the orofacial complex. The regular presence of these adaptive movements can often result in a variety of disturbances.

Examples of OMDs include one or a combination of the following:

• -- Thumb and finger sucking habits
• -- A routine habit of resting with the lips apart
• -- A forward resting posture of the tongue between or against the teeth
• -- Tongue Thrust
• -- Other harmful oral habits

OMDs are often related to, or can contribute to, a variety of dental disorders, including:

-- Malocclusion (improper alignment of the teeth)
-- Periodontal disorders
-- Orthodontic relapse
-- Changes associated with abnormal jaw growth and position

Comorbidities can also be present in clients who have OMDs:

• -- Airway Obstruction (ex . enlarged adenoids, or deviated septum)
• -- Changes associated with abnormal jaw growth and position
• -- Cleft Palate
• -- Down syndrome
• -- Dysphagia
• -- Sleep Apnea/Sleep-Disordered Breathing
• -- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
• -- Tethered Oral Tissues (buccal, lip or tongue tie)

(IAOM)

• Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a systematic, multidisciplinary approach performed by a licensed professional , which may vary internationally. OMDs require an interdisciplinary team including, but not limited to: Dental Hygiene, Speech Pathology, Dentistry, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy who are specifically trained in orofacial myology. OMT is a not a "cookie cutter" approach and involves an individualized program with a multidisciplinary team to help the patient retrain dysfunctional, adaptive patterns of muscle function for a healthy orofacial environment. Treatment goals may include the following:
  

  • -- Normalize tongue and lip resting postures
  • -- Establish nasal breathing patterns
  • -- Eliminate improper chewing and swallowing patterns
  • -- Stabilize the dentition from extraneous orofacial muscle movement
  • -- Address harmful oral habits including:
    • - Prolonged pacifier use
    • - Thumb and/or finger sucking
    • - Fingernail, cheek, or lip biting
    • - Tongue sucking
    • - Clenching or grinding of the teeth

  Benefits of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy may include:

  • -- Correcting and improving tongue and lip postures which can aid in the development of normal patterns of dental eruption and alignment.
    -- Assisting in the stabilization of the teeth during and/or after orthodontic treatment or jaw surgery
    -- Identifying the need and referring for speech therapy to support the remediation of speech errors based on not only the acoustics of speech, but the oral placements as well.
    -- Supporting nasal breathing through the identification of airway obstruction, tethered oral tissues, and other structural anomalies..