1. The Story of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Joy L. Moeller, BS, RDH
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2. 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

3. 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

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

6. 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

8. Published in May, AJODO

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. Abnormal Orofacial Rest Posture

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

14. The Grimace
Is there a swallowing grimace?

15. Cells respond to mechanical stimuli like movement and pressure

16. Five months of treatment

17. 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.)

18. TMD

19. Excessive Saliva or Drooling

20. Ankylosed tongue may be a problem

21. The Tongue Thrust Swallow/Rest Position

22. Before and After

23. Head and Neck Posture Change

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

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

26. Asymmetry

27. The Tongue May Act as a Splint

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

29. 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

30. To learn more about orofacial myofunctional therapy