Oral Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is the treatment of dysfunctions of the muscles of the face and mouth, with the purpose of correcting orofacial functions, such as chewing and swallowing, and promoting nasal breathing. This treatment involves the use of myofunctional appliances and exercises that address poor habits that cause oral issues such as crooked teeth. Myofunctional appliances naturally promote healthy oral growth patterns to minimize the need for orthodontic treatment or phase II braces in the future.
Let's have a look at this case (teenager with all adult teeth): lower teeth crowding, gap between top front teeth, severe deep bite, severe excessive overjet. How can we fix such severe malocclusion? Traditionally, it's very likely to be a braces + jaw surgery case. We treated this case with myofunctional appliances, no braces, no teeth extractions, no jaw surgeries. Myofunctional appliances only, nothing else.
Unfortunately, the patient had missed the best opportunity as a little kid. Fortunately, the patient still had growth potential as a teenager when the treatment started. Upper and lower fixed retainers were placed after completing the orthodontic treatment. The retainers might not have been necessary if we could have started treatment earlier.
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