Orofacial myofunctional reeducation assisted by a prefabricated reeducation appliance: towards a necessary paradigm shift

Introduction: Orofacial myofunctional reeducation (OFMR) is the rehabilitation of the muscles, functions and resting postures of the orofacial complex. It is used in the therapeutic management of orofacial dysfunction in patients of all ages and with a wide range of disorders and comorbidities.

Objective: The main objective of this article was to advocate the association of orofacial myofunctional reeducation (OFMR) with the use of prefabricated reeducation appliances (PRAs) in orthodontics.

Material and method: A summary of published data was carried out and the conclusions of a cross-sectional epidemiological study were reported. The aim of the study was to assess the current state of orofacial myofunctional rehabilitation in orthodontics in France. Consideration was given to the relevance of the arguments put forward by manufacturers regarding the specific features of their devices and their supposed effects.

Results: Published data, albeit of uneven methodological quality, seem to show the superiority of orofacial myofunctional reeducation combined with the use of a prefabricated reeducation appliance (PRA), compared with the use of OFMR without PRA. A new, more effective, simpler and less time-consuming approach to PRA-assisted OFMR is proposed. The project for a new model of prefabricated reeducation appliance is presented. Ten clinical cases are presented to illustrate the clinical and administrative aspects of this PRA-assisted RMOF. Original clinical approaches are also presented: mandibular disocclusion and recentering wedges (MDRW), anti-retrusion wedges (ARW) and sequential multi-attachment bonding (SMB), mandibular then maxillary.

Conclusion: PRA-assisted OFMR appears to be a necessary paradigm shift, which it would be useful to offer our patients.