The Story of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Joy L. Moeller, BS, RDH All patient images are to be used for educational purposes and by the AOMT only; To protect the privacy of the people who are featured in the case studies during the course, Please do not distribute any images via email, online, or otherwise without written permission of the AOMT.

Learning Objectives 1. Define orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) 2. Identify these disorders 3. Determine the cause of these disorders 4. Understand how these disorders may be detrimental

Definition of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT): Neuro-muscular re-education of the oral facial muscles. Through a series of exercises designed to: Eliminate oral habits (nail biting, thumb sucking and lip licking) Improve static and dynamic tongue position Improve lip seal Enhance nasal breathing Re-pattern the stomatognathic muscle function Promote proper chewing and swallowing

Myofunctional Therapy: Why Now? We now have the evidence based research prove it works!

Stanford Study: OMT Poised to Take Off January 2013 Most powerful advocacy of OMT by leading US based medical researcher to date More comprehensive studies accepted for publication Speaking engagements at world forums to follow, 2013

Published in May, 2010 AJODO

2009 American Thoracic Society’s Journal of American Respiratory Critical Care Medicine 40% of patients with mild to moderate OSA AHI move to normal range with Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Presented at ATS May 2012 2010 American Academy of Craniofacial Pain’s Cranio Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy significantly reduces pain sensitivity in TMD patients and increases range of mandibular motion

What is Myofunctional Therapy? Behavior modification to eliminate habits which create negative growth pressures. Introduce and habituate patterns which promote positive stability with correct oral posture Remodel nasal airways using behavior modification

What is Myofunctional Therapy? Neuro-Muscular re-education or re-patterning of the orofacial muscles

Abnormal Orofacial Rest Posture

Does the chin muscle activate when they swallow or close their lips?

The Grimace Is there a swallowing grimace?

Cells respond to mechanical stimuli like movement and pressure

Five months of treatment

Relapse of Surgery/Allergy Treatment Allergies Treated Airway Surgery Completed Behavior Modification not implemented Airway once again compromised (50% may have some relapse, Halbower,A.)

TMD

Excessive Saliva or Drooling

Ankylosed tongue may be a problem

The Tongue Thrust Swallow/Rest Position

Before and After

Head and Neck Posture Change

What does their back posture look like? What is the posture? Back Lordosis?

Who is a candidate for OMT? Young children Teens Middle Aged Seniors

Asymmetry

The Tongue May Act as a Splint

Working in an Interdisciplinary Team GENERAL DENTIST DENTAL HYGIENIST OROFACIAL MYOLOGIST ORTHODONTIST PEDIATRIC DENTIST SLEEP SPECIALIST

The Future Prevention: Breast Feeding No Pacifiers/Sippy cups Check Frenums at birth and Release Eliminate oral habits early Learn to chew unprocessed food Retrain breathing/chewing/swallowing early

To learn more about orofacial myofunctional therapy www.myofunctional-therapy.com www.myoacademy.com