Orofacial Myology (OM) is defined as treatment of the orofacial musculature to improve muscle tonicity. It is the establishment of correct functional activities of the tongue, lips, and mandible, so that normal growth and development may take place or progress in a stable, homeostatic environment. It may include the treatment of parafunctional habits to eliminate noxious oral behavior patterns; or temporomandibular muscle dysfunction as it relates to bruxism / clenching, range of motion activities, or postural habits of the tongue, lips and/or mandible. The practice of OM includes the evaluation and treatment of:
1. Detrimental orofacial habits
2. Posturing problems related to the lips, tongue, jaw and respiratory system
3. Abnormal neuromuscular responses associated with inappropriate mastication and deglutition
4. Detrimental breathing patterns
5. Hyper and hypo sensitivity of the orofacial complex
6. Swallowing patterns which may be associated with malocclusions
7. Facial and postural esthetics
The overall goals of OM are to assist in the creation, re-establishment or stabilization of a normal oral environment with regard to tongue and lip posture and function or to permit normal processes of growth and development to occur. For some clients the treatment is, generally, to create, re-establish, or stabilize appropriate normal posture and function of the orofacial muscles and their patterns. In most cases, treatment goals, strategies and objectives are determined in conjunction with primary care providers in dentistry or medicine in a team approach. Orofacial Myologists are a part of an interdisciplinary team of providers that can include general dentists, orthodontists, pedodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, pediatricians, ENT's, PCP's, Speech Therapists, Lactation Consultants, Chiropractors, and Craniosacral Therapists.
1. Detrimental orofacial habits
2. Posturing problems related to the lips, tongue, jaw and respiratory system
3. Abnormal neuromuscular responses associated with inappropriate mastication and deglutition
4. Detrimental breathing patterns
5. Hyper and hypo sensitivity of the orofacial complex
6. Swallowing patterns which may be associated with malocclusions
7. Facial and postural esthetics
The overall goals of OM are to assist in the creation, re-establishment or stabilization of a normal oral environment with regard to tongue and lip posture and function or to permit normal processes of growth and development to occur. For some clients the treatment is, generally, to create, re-establish, or stabilize appropriate normal posture and function of the orofacial muscles and their patterns. In most cases, treatment goals, strategies and objectives are determined in conjunction with primary care providers in dentistry or medicine in a team approach. Orofacial Myologists are a part of an interdisciplinary team of providers that can include general dentists, orthodontists, pedodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, pediatricians, ENT's, PCP's, Speech Therapists, Lactation Consultants, Chiropractors, and Craniosacral Therapists.