Orofacial Myology is the study and treatment of orofacial myofunctional disorders. These involve behaviors created by incorrect habits primarily involving the tongue and lips. A tongue thrust and thumb sucking (or digit sucking) are the two most common variations.

With a tongue thrust, during the act of swallowing, an incorrect positioning of the tongue may contribute to misaligned facial development and the resultant malalignment of teeth.

With thumb (digit) sucking, the same type of misalignment can occur. What many do not realize is that this behavior can continue far into adulthood, so the social implications can also be pronounced.

An orofacial variation that relates to the lips is an open mouth, lips apart resting posture. Seen first in young children with compromised airways, this is often referred to lip incompetence and can distract from a pleasing facial appearance.

What Can Lead to an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder?

In most cases it is the result of a combination of factors, and may result from any of the following:

• Improper oral habits, such as thumb or finger sucking, cheek/nail biting, and grinding of teeth.
• Restricted airway, which can be due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, a narrow or vaulted palate, a large tongue, an oversized uvula and/or allergies.
• Structural or physiological abnormalities such as a restrictive lingual frenum (tongue-tie).
• Neurological or developmental abnormalities.
• Hereditary predisposition to some of the above factors.

Therapy

Myofunctional therapy for tongue thrusting and lip incompetence may be recommended for a variety of functional or cosmetic reasons:

• Correcting or improving resting tongue or lip relationships can be instrumental in aiding the development of normal patterns of dental eruption and alignment.
• If the patient already has orthodontic appliances, correcting the disorder can help stabilize the orthodontic result by creating a more desirable and a healthier oral environment.

Usually the therapy programs are designed to retrain patterns of muscle function and to aid in the creation and maintenance of a healthy, adaptive orofacial environment. Therapy can help in the retention of the dental and/or orthodontic treatment, can help enhance one’s appearance and can help maintain optimum dental health for a lifetime of benefits.

At What Age Should Therapy Begin?

Children as young as four years old (five is the best age) can benefit from an evaluation session to determine if any preventative steps may be prescribed. For thumb and finger sucking, this is a good age to begin, but not much success can be found starting earlier than 4. With tongue thrust habits, children of seven or eight years of age are often mature enough to receive complete training. Adults of all ages are capable of success in treatment for any orofacial myofuncional disorder.

Lehigh Valley Dentist