Monday, October 19, 2015

Myofunctional therapy: Develop a new direction in your career in an exciting, groundbreaking profession

Email
Print
312
Facebook
5
Twitter
7
LinkedIn
323
Share
Medicine and dentistry have recently resurrected the field of orofacial myofunctional therapy. We now have the evidence-based studies to validate the success of treating patients collaboratively with a variety of disorders (e.g., orthodontic disorders, sleep apnea, orofacial pain). (1) This article will discuss myofunctional therapy as a career choice for dental hygienists.
The orthodontist Benno Edward Lischer (1876–1959) was the first to coin the term “myofunctional therapy” in the early 1900s after studying with Alf

Myofunctional therapy: Develop a new direction in your career in an exciting, groundbreaking profession

Email
Print
312
Facebook
5
Twitter
7
LinkedIn
323
Share
Medicine and dentistry have recently resurrected the field of orofacial myofunctional therapy. We now have the evidence-based studies to validate the success of treating patients collaboratively with a variety of disorders (e.g., orthodontic disorders, sleep apnea, orofacial pain). (1) This article will discuss myofunctional therapy as a career choice for dental hygienists.
The orthodontist Benno Edward Lischer (1876–1959) was the first to coin the term “myofunctional therapy” in the early 1900s after studying with Alfred Rodgers, an orthodontist who believed that proper muscle function was the key in the treatment of malocclusion. (2) Lischer started the third private orthodontic school functioning in the early decades of the 20th century. (2)
 
Avoidance of a lifetime of problems. Treatment is over a one-year period.
Establishing normal muscle function, habit elimination, and awareness of improper functioning is critical to stabilizing and creating an environment of harmony in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Researchers in Brazil have found that orofacial myofunctional therapy may stabilize and help to repattern muscles to adapt to the structure. (3, 4)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders as follows:
“Disorders of the jaw joint and chewing muscles—and how people respond to them—vary widely. Researchers generally agree that the conditions fall into three main categories: 1. Myofascial pain involves discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function. 2. Internal derangement of the joint involves a displaced disc, dislocated jaw, or injury to the condyle. 3. Arthritis refers to a group of degenerative/inflammatory joint disorders that can affect the temporomandibular joint.” (5)
Many dental offices are involved in the treatment of sleep disorders, and new studies are now validating the collaboration of the treatment of myofunctional disorders as an adjunctive protocol for obstructive sleep apnea. (1, 3) Sleep specialists are now being taught about working with myofunctional therapists in order to have a better result in controlling sleep disorders. (1)
Hygienists and myofunctional therapy
The problem is there is a shortage of well-trained and educated therapists in this field. The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has had a policy statement on this topic since 1992. The statement is listed under the section PRACTICE, Patient Care Services, policy #9-92: “The American Dental Hygienists’ Association acknowledges that the scope of dental hygiene practice includes the assessment and evaluation of orofacial myofunctional disorders; and further advocates that dental hygienists complete advanced clinical and didactic continuing education prior to providing treatment.” (6)
What does this mean for dental hygienists? We can finally utilize all those anatomy, physiology and pathology courses that we had to learn but have not used to their fullest potential. Most of all we will be using our brains and background to consider what is best for our patients.
Hygienists treat periodontal disease very frequently in practice, and we have known for some time that mouth breathing can cause inflammation of gingival tissues. (7) Myofunctional therapy can also be used to treat mouth breathing.
Resources
I wrote a book with Samantha Weaver called Tucker the Tongue Finds His Spot. (8) Tucker leaves home on a journey to find his "spot," a place he will feel good and happy. Tucker the Tongue Finds His Spot is a colorful story that introduces children to the idea of the "spot," the place in the mouth designed to hold the tongue. The book has helped many children find their spot and eliminate myofunctional disorders including thumbsucking, tongue thrusting, open mouth breathing, and others.
Conclusion
Many of us suffer with carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive motion physical problems of practicing dental hygiene over time. Why not learn a new treatment and incorporate myofunctional therapy into your practice or start your own business and profoundly help patients on a much more interesting and creative way? The time is now and you are needed to help patients. For more information go to the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT) website.  
If you would like to learn more about myofunctional therapy, attend the AAMS meeting September 9–13, in Los Angeles.
References1. Saccamanno S, Antonini G, D’Alatri L, D’Angelantonio M, Fiorita A, Deli R. Causal relationship between malocclusion and oral muscles dysfunction: a model of approach. Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2012;13:321-323.http://www.ejpd.eu/bibliografia_dettaglio.asp?id=481.
2. Burke C. A century of influence: Part 1. Orthodontic pioneers. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2015;147(5 Suppl):S155-160.
3. de Felicio CM, de Oliveira MM, da Silva MR. Effects of orofacial myofunctional therapy on temporomandibular disorders.Cranio. 2010:28:249-259.
4. Ferreira CL, Machado BC, Borges CG, Rodrigues De Silva MA, De Felicio CM. Impaired orofacial motor functions on chronic temporomandibular disorders. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2014;24:565-571.http://www.jelectromyographykinesiology.com/article/S1050-6411%2814%2900069-8/abstract.
5. US Department Of Health And Human Services, National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. TMJ Disorders [brochure]. NIH Publication No. 13-3487. August 2013. Page 4.http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealth/Topics/TMJ/Documents/TMJDisorders_100113_508C.pdf.
6. American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Policy Manual. Published June 23, 2014. Updated October 17, 2014. Accessed August 4, 2015. https://www.adha.org/resources-docs/7614_Policy_Manual.pdf. Page 19.
7. Seo WH, Cho ER, Thomas RJ, et al. The association between periodontitis and obstructive sleep apnea: a preliminary study.J Periodontal Res. 2013;48:500-506.
8. Moeller J, Weaver S, Gaudet K. Tucker the Tongue Finds His Spot. Pacific Palisades, CA: Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy; 2012.

Joy Moeller, BS, RDH, is a dental hygienist who has worked as a myofunctional therapist for over 30 years. She is currently on the board of the American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry (AAPMD), a multi-disciplinary medical and dental group interested in airway problems, where she received a lifetime achievement award March of 2015 for leadership.  

312
Facebook
5
Twitter
6
LinkedIn
323
Share
red Rodgers, an orthodontist who believed that proper muscle function was the key in the treatment of malocclusion. (2) Lischer started the third private orthodontic school functioning in the early decades of the 20th century. (2)
 
Avoidance of a lifetime of problems. Treatment is over a one-year period.
Establishing normal muscle function, habit elimination, and awareness of improper functioning is critical to stabilizing and creating an environment of harmony in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Researchers in Brazil have found that orofacial myofunctional therapy may stabilize and help to repattern muscles to adapt to the structure. (3, 4)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders as follows:
“Disorders of the jaw joint and chewing muscles—and how people respond to them—vary widely. Researchers generally agree that the conditions fall into three main categories: 1. Myofascial pain involves discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function. 2. Internal derangement of the joint involves a displaced disc, dislocated jaw, or injury to the condyle. 3. Arthritis refers to a group of degenerative/inflammatory joint disorders that can affect the temporomandibular joint.” (5)
Many dental offices are involved in the treatment of sleep disorders, and new studies are now validating the collaboration of the treatment of myofunctional disorders as an adjunctive protocol for obstructive sleep apnea. (1, 3) Sleep specialists are now being taught about working with myofunctional therapists in order to have a better result in controlling sleep disorders. (1)
Hygienists and myofunctional therapy
The problem is there is a shortage of well-trained and educated therapists in this field. The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has had a policy statement on this topic since 1992. The statement is listed under the section PRACTICE, Patient Care Services, policy #9-92: “The American Dental Hygienists’ Association acknowledges that the scope of dental hygiene practice includes the assessment and evaluation of orofacial myofunctional disorders; and further advocates that dental hygienists complete advanced clinical and didactic continuing education prior to providing treatment.” (6)
What does this mean for dental hygienists? We can finally utilize all those anatomy, physiology and pathology courses that we had to learn but have not used to their fullest potential. Most of all we will be using our brains and background to consider what is best for our patients.
Hygienists treat periodontal disease very frequently in practice, and we have known for some time that mouth breathing can cause inflammation of gingival tissues. (7) Myofunctional therapy can also be used to treat mouth breathing.
Resources
I wrote a book with Samantha Weaver called Tucker the Tongue Finds His Spot. (8) Tucker leaves home on a journey to find his "spot," a place he will feel good and happy. Tucker the Tongue Finds His Spot is a colorful story that introduces children to the idea of the "spot," the place in the mouth designed to hold the tongue. The book has helped many children find their spot and eliminate myofunctional disorders including thumbsucking, tongue thrusting, open mouth breathing, and others.
Conclusion
Many of us suffer with carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive motion physical problems of practicing dental hygiene over time. Why not learn a new treatment and incorporate myofunctional therapy into your practice or start your own business and profoundly help patients on a much more interesting and creative way? The time is now and you are needed to help patients. For more information go to the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT) website.  
If you would like to learn more about myofunctional therapy, attend the AAMS meeting September 9–13, in Los Angeles.
References1. Saccamanno S, Antonini G, D’Alatri L, D’Angelantonio M, Fiorita A, Deli R. Causal relationship between malocclusion and oral muscles dysfunction: a model of approach. Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2012;13:321-323.http://www.ejpd.eu/bibliografia_dettaglio.asp?id=481.
2. Burke C. A century of influence: Part 1. Orthodontic pioneers. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2015;147(5 Suppl):S155-160.
3. de Felicio CM, de Oliveira MM, da Silva MR. Effects of orofacial myofunctional therapy on temporomandibular disorders.Cranio. 2010:28:249-259.
4. Ferreira CL, Machado BC, Borges CG, Rodrigues De Silva MA, De Felicio CM. Impaired orofacial motor functions on chronic temporomandibular disorders. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2014;24:565-571.http://www.jelectromyographykinesiology.com/article/S1050-6411%2814%2900069-8/abstract.
5. US Department Of Health And Human Services, National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. TMJ Disorders [brochure]. NIH Publication No. 13-3487. August 2013. Page 4.http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealth/Topics/TMJ/Documents/TMJDisorders_100113_508C.pdf.
6. American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Policy Manual. Published June 23, 2014. Updated October 17, 2014. Accessed August 4, 2015. https://www.adha.org/resources-docs/7614_Policy_Manual.pdf. Page 19.
7. Seo WH, Cho ER, Thomas RJ, et al. The association between periodontitis and obstructive sleep apnea: a preliminary study.J Periodontal Res. 2013;48:500-506.
8. Moeller J, Weaver S, Gaudet K. Tucker the Tongue Finds His Spot. Pacific Palisades, CA: Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy; 2012.

Joy Moeller, BS, RDH, is a dental hygienist who has worked as a myofunctional therapist for over 30 years. She is currently on the board of the American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry (AAPMD), a multi-disciplinary medical and dental group interested in airway problems, where she received a lifetime achievement award March of 2015 for leadership.  

312
Facebook
5
Twitter
6
LinkedIn
323
Share

No comments:

Post a Comment