Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)
Orthodontics and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy are closely related and influence each other. Whilst orthodontics corrects the position of the teeth and jaws, OMT ensures that orofacial muscle functions are correct, thus preventing relapse and ensuring long-term stability of orthodontic results. Collaboration between orthodontists and myofunctional therapists is essential for holistic and effective treatment of patients.
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
1. Oral (mouth) breathing:
- The child breathes predominantly through the mouth, even when not cold or congested.
- Lips are often dry or cracked from mouth breathing.
2. Atypical swallowing:
- The tongue pushes the front teeth together while swallowing ('atypical' swallowing).
- You notice excessive lip or cheek movements while swallowing.
3. Tongue positioning:
- The tongue is positioned between the teeth even at rest or while speaking.
- The tongue does not touch the palate (roof of the mouth) when the child is at rest.
4. Speech problems:
- The child has difficulty pronouncing certain sounds (e.g. "s", "z", "ș", "j").
- There is a hissing sound or a lisp in your child's speech.
5. Chewing disorders:
- The child chews only on one side of the mouth or avoids certain solid foods.
- Chewing is slow and can take a long time to finish a meal
6. Harmful oral habits:
- Finger, pacifier or object sucking, even after the age of 3-4 years.
- Biting lips, cheeks or objects (e.g. pencils) frequently.
7. Dental alignment:
- Mal-positioned teeth, obvious overlapping teeth or protruding teeth (front teeth protruding).
- Open bite (upper and lower teeth do not meet properly).
8. Facial appearance:
- The child's face has a tired expression, with eyes slightly sleepy or rounded.
- The lower jaw appears set back (small chin) or the upper jaw is very prominent.
9. Difficulties with speech development:
- Delays in speech development, the child speaks later than peers.
- The child's voice is nasal (speaks through the nose) or does not have adequate resonance.
10. Sleep problems:
- The child snores, has apnoea or other breathing difficulties during sleep.
- The child wakes up frequently at night or feels tired even after a long sleep.
