[Pre-orthodontic orofacial myofunctional therapy].

Abstract

Pre-orthodontic orofacial myofunctional therapy is regularly prescribed in young children to correct the function of the tongue as a causative factor of an anterior open bite. Tongue thrusting is thereby identified as a harmful habit that needs to be unlearned. However, the concept that soft tissue dysfunction is the primary cause of orthodontic abnormalities does not appear to be valid. The tongue adapts its function to the abnormal anatomy, which has arisen for other reasons. If the tongue would not do this, food and drink would be squeezed out rather than transported to the oesophagus. Teaching children different swallowing behaviour in order to facilitate or make orthodontic treatment unnecessary is therefore an unnecessary intervention.