Treatment of Myofunctional Pathology
Myofunctional therapy is a neurologic re-education program which uses repetition, time, and experience to initiate neural changes known as neuroplasticity. Myofunctional therapists generally work alongside a team of other healthcare professionals such as:
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Treatment of Myofunctional Pathology Joy L. Moeller, Martha Macaluso, and Ruth Marsiliani
8.1
What Is Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy is the neurologic reeducation of the orofacial muscles. It is a rehabilitation therapy program designed to re-pattern stomatognathic functions, such as chewing, swallowing, and breathing. This is accomplished through the use of therapeutic techniques and positive behavioral modification [1, 2]. The therapy allows the brain to develop new neural pathways through repetition, time, and experience. Once the new behavior is learned and adopted, those neural connections are reinforced. This creates a more permanent neural change commonly known as neuroplasticity. Repetition of the therapeutic techniques will help to increase the strength, tone, and coordination of the stomatognathic muscles and help to develop facial symmetry. The purposes of these exercises are to: • • • • •
Recover and improve dyskinetic muscle function. Restore deficient muscle tone. Reacquire correct posture (tongue, jaw, and lips). Reeducate functions (swallowing, chewing, and breathing). Reduce and eliminate habits such as thumb sucking, pacifier use, nail biting, lip or hair sucking or biting, tongue sucking, leaning, and others.
J. L. Moeller (*) Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, Pacific Palisades, CA, USA M. Macaluso Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, Pacific Palisades, CA, USA New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA R. Marsiliani Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, Pacific Palisades, CA, USA New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA The City University of New York, New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, NY, USA © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019 E. Liem (ed.), Sleep Disorders in Pediatric Dentistry, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13269-9_8
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Awareness and elimination of oral habits must be addressed conjointly with myofunctional disorders, or they may affect the fluidity and process of the therapy. In the United States, breathing re-education is incorporated along with chewing and proper swallowing, to assist in the treatment of myofunctional disorders. Breathing education looks at nasal breathing versus mouth breathing; the volume of air taken in during inhalation, and the muscles recruited during breathing (movement of the diaphragm). Both oral habit elimination and breathing education are important for continued positive progression and desired outcome of the therapy. Additionally, to achieve optimum results, myofunctional therapists work collaboratively with ENTs, allergists, and orthodontists.
8.2
Importance of Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy for the treatment of myofunctional disorders has demonstrated to be an important adjunct in the treatment of (sleep) breathing disorders, orthodontic treatment, temporal mandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), masticatory dysfunctions, and digestive and postural problems [2–7]. Myofunctional therapy also addresses underlying iss
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