International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy

8 pages, 509 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Early Lingual Frenectomy Assisted by CO2 Laser Helps Prevention and Treatment of Functional Alterations Caused by Ankyloglossia

by Renata C. Fiorotti, Milene M. Bertolini, Jorge H. Nicola and Ester M. D. Nicola

Int. J. Orofac. Myol. Myofunct. Ther. 2004, 30(1), 64-71; https://doi.org/10.52010/ijom.2004.30.1.6 - 1 Nov 2004

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 129

Abstract

Incorrectly produced speech sounds, the presence of dentofacial alterations and acquired functional adaptations may be due to a short and inadequate lingual frenum. When frenectomy is indicated, it should be performed as early as possible to prevent functional alterations. This study presents a [...] Read more.

Incorrectly produced speech sounds, the presence of dentofacial alterations and acquired functional adaptations may be due to a short and inadequate lingual frenum. When frenectomy is indicated, it should be performed as early as possible to prevent functional alterations. This study presents a literature review on correct lingual positioning in relation to orthodontic and phonetic function as well as an assessment of 15 patients who underwent frenectomy utilizing the carbon dioxide laser. The results demonstrated that this technique is safe, effective and perfect for use in young children and can be performed in an outpatient unit. Full article

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9 pages, 337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution of Causes and Treatments of Dysphagia at Dysphasia/Dysphagia Rehabilitation Clinic of Showa University Dental Hospital: 1999–2002

by Fumiyo Tamura, Rika Ayano, Hiroyuki Haishima, Ryo Ishida, Miki Mizukami and Yoshiharu Mukai

Int. J. Orofac. Myol. Myofunct. Ther. 2004, 30(1), 53-62; https://doi.org/10.52010/ijom.2004.30.1.5 - 1 Nov 2004

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 81

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of causes of dysphagia and the types of treatments being provided at the Dysphasia/Dysphagia Rehabilitation Clinic of Showa University Dental Hospital. The subjects included 173 dysphagic patients. Fifty-three percent of patients ranged 0–12 [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of causes of dysphagia and the types of treatments being provided at the Dysphasia/Dysphagia Rehabilitation Clinic of Showa University Dental Hospital. The subjects included 173 dysphagic patients. Fifty-three percent of patients ranged 0–12 age, and 24% of them were over 60 years old. The survey results showed that diseases of the central nervous system, such as cerebral palsy (CP), was a major diagnosis in young patients, and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) was a predominant cause in adult and elderly patients. Diagnosis distribution showed that swallowing dysfunction was the most frequent diagnosis for patients on their first visit when compared to other feeding dysfunctions including malfunction of lips, tongue, and mastication. Almost 40% of patients still continue to have rehabilitation for their dysphagic symptoms at the end of March 2002. This suggests that dysphagia rehabilitation is needed for a long time for many disabled individuals. Full article

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14 pages, 157 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of a New Concept of Myofunctional Therapy in Children

by Heike M. Korbmacher, Marco Schwan, Sabine Berndsen, Julia Bull and Bärbel Kahl-Nieke

Int. J. Orofac. Myol. Myofunct. Ther. 2004, 30(1), 40-52; https://doi.org/10.52010/ijom.2004.30.1.4 - 1 Nov 2004

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 137

Abstract

This prospective study was designed to evaluate a new concept of myofunctional therapy in comparison with conventional myofunctional therapy. 45 children aged three to sixteen years in need of myofunctional therapy were randomly divided into two groups: 19 children were referred to myofunctional [...] Read more.

This prospective study was designed to evaluate a new concept of myofunctional therapy in comparison with conventional myofunctional therapy. 45 children aged three to sixteen years in need of myofunctional therapy were randomly divided into two groups: 19 children were referred to myofunctional therapy in private practices in Hamburg and served as controls. The remaining 26 children were treated with face former therapy at the Department of Orthodontics by a medical assistant specializing in myofunctional therapy. The overall observation time was six months. Every three months an overall clinical assessment was performed at the Department of Orthodontics by a speech pathologist and an orthodontist, who documented the clinical situation. The clinical examination included measurement of lip strength, palatography to document the swallowing pattern, logopedic diagnosis, and an orthodontic examination with reference to a standardized diagnostic sheet. In all children’s orofacial function could be improved. Children treated with the Face Former showed a statistically significantly improvement in palatal tongue position during swallowing. They achieved stronger lip pressure within a shorter time than children who did not use the Face Former. However, at the end of the observation time there was no statistically significant difference in lip strength between the two groups. Habitual mouth closure was also achieved within a shorter time for children treated with the FaceFormer than children with myofunctional therapy. Face Former therapy seems to offer a good alternative to conventional myofunctional therapy. Longitudinal studies will follow to judge whether the established orofacial balance could be stabilized, i.e. the established physiological orofacial function becomes automatic. Full article

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8 pages, 252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lingual Frenulum: Classification and Speech Interference

by Irene Queiroz Marchesan

Int. J. Orofac. Myol. Myofunct. Ther. 2004, 30(1), 32-39; https://doi.org/10.52010/ijom.2004.30.1.3 - 1 Nov 2004

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 135

Abstract

Purpose: To propose a classification of the different lingual frenulum and to relate them to speech disorders. Methods: We evaluated 1402 patients’ frenulum with an age range of 5 years 8 months to 62 years 10 months between 1978 and 2002. Pictures were [...] Read more.

Purpose: To propose a classification of the different lingual frenulum and to relate them to speech disorders. Methods: We evaluated 1402 patients’ frenulum with an age range of 5 years 8 months to 62 years 10 months between 1978 and 2002. Pictures were taken of the altered frenulum. Measures of maximal mouth opening, with and without tongue suction, were taken with a sliding caliper. Speech samples were also taken. Frenulum were then classified as normal; short; with anterior insertion, and short with anterior insertion. Results: From the 1402 patients evaluated, 127 (9%) presented with an altered frenulum insertion. For this study we considered only those with short or with anterior insertion. For those who had an altered frenulum, 62 (48.81%) presented with speech disorders. The more frequent speech disorders were: omission and substitution of /r/; {R}, and consonant clusters with /r/, and of /s/ and /z/. Frontal and lateral lisps also occurred. The frenulum of 21 patients was classified as short and of these, 12 patients (57%) presented with speech disorders. Of the 106 patients with anterior insertion, 50 (47.2%) presented with a speech disorder. After statistical analyses the relation between altered frenulum and speech disorders was considered significant with p < 0.001. Conclusion: The lingual frenulum was classified as normal, short and with anterior insertion. An altered frenulum may predispose the individual to exhibit an accompanying speech disorder. Full article

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11 pages, 447 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Animal Models in Understanding Feeding Behavior in Infants

by R Z. German, A W. Crompton and A. J. Thexton

Int. J. Orofac. Myol. Myofunct. Ther. 2004, 30(1), 21-31; https://doi.org/10.52010/ijom.2004.30.1.2 - 1 Nov 2004

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 99

Abstract

The common evolutionary history humans share with mammals provides us with a solid basis for understanding normal oropharyngeal anatomy and functions. Physiologically, feeding is a cycle of neurophysiologic activity, where sensory input travels to the CNS which sends motor signals out to the [...] Read more.

The common evolutionary history humans share with mammals provides us with a solid basis for understanding normal oropharyngeal anatomy and functions. Physiologically, feeding is a cycle of neurophysiologic activity, where sensory input travels to the CNS which sends motor signals out to the periphery. Research with animal models is valuable because it is possible to disrupt this cycle, and develop predictive models on the causal basis of deviation from normal. Based on work with animal models, normal mammalian infant feeding behavior consists of the tongue functioning as a pump. First, the tongue assists in acquisition of milk from the nipple into the oral cavity, and then it pumps milk from the oral cavity into the valleculae prior to the pharyngeal swallow. Starting with this basic model, feeding in infant pigs was manipulated to determine the impact of variation in sensory input on behavioral output. One set of experiments suggested that chemo- or liquid sensation, in the form of milk is necessary to elicit continuing rhythmic activity. However, the rates of rhythmic suckling are intrinsic to an animal, and variation in rate cannot be entrained. Another set showed that initiation of the swallow does not purely depend on the volume of milk delivered, but also on the sensory stimulation at the mouth. These results support the idea that feeding behavior involves complex sensory integration. Full article

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12 pages, 197 KiB

Open AccessReview

Assessment of Tongue Weakness and Fatigue

by Nancy Pearl Solomon

Int. J. Orofac. Myol. Myofunct. Ther. 2004, 30(1), 8-19; https://doi.org/10.52010/ijom.2004.30.1.1 - 1 Nov 2004

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 118

Abstract

Assessment of nonspeech tongue function is common in speech-language pathology. This paper reviews techniques used to determine tongue strength and endurance, and describes a constant-effort task. These techniques are intended to reveal and quantify the presence of weakness or fatigue of the tongue. [...] Read more.

Assessment of nonspeech tongue function is common in speech-language pathology. This paper reviews techniques used to determine tongue strength and endurance, and describes a constant-effort task. These techniques are intended to reveal and quantify the presence of weakness or fatigue of the tongue. The consequences of performing these tasks with and without a bite block, used to fix jaw position, are considered. Whether nonspeech tongue impairment is associated with speech dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease is another topic of interest. Past studies indicated reduced tongue strength and endurance in Parkinson’s disease, but these measures did not correlate with speech measures. It was hypothesized that weakness and fatigue need to be impaired to a “critical” level before speech is perceptibly affected. To examine whether experimentally induced tongue fatigue affects speech, normal speakers performed prolonged strenuous tongue exercise. Speech deteriorated following these exercises. A new investigation examines whether 1 hour of speech-like tongue exercise (rapid syllable repetitions) affects dysarthric speech. Preliminary data from 6 participants with Parkinson’s disease, 1 person with bulbar ALS, and 6 neurologically normal control subjects indicate that sentences sound more precise but less natural after the exercises. Surprisingly, results did not differ significantly between the groups. Continued collection of data and refinement of tasks will contribute to our understanding of the potential relationships between weakness, fatigue, and speech. Full article

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2 pages, 800 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editor's Corner: Tribute to Roberta Pierce

by Patricia M. Taylor

Int. J. Orofac. Myol. Myofunct. Ther. 2004, 30(1), 5-7; https://doi.org/10.52010/ijom.2004.30.1.7 - 1 Nov 2004

Viewed by 81

Abstract

The 30TH Anniversary Edition of the International Journal of Orofacial Myology is dedicated as a tribute to Roberta B. Pierce, [...] Full article

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Int. J. Orofac. Myol. Myofunct. Ther., Volume 30, Issue 1 (November 2004) – 7 articles , Pages 5-71

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