Abstract
Introduction: The scope, nature, and focus of clinicians who treat oral myofunctional disorders are continuously changing. Healthy disagreements exist among practitioners on a number of important issues and procedures. Certain concepts and practices, however, are not objects of disagreement; they simply persist in spite of a lack of theoretical foundation. or in spite of the potential harm they offer to the client and to the profession. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review four areas that deal with some of these issues. They are: I. Terminology. Some terms used by orofacial myologists are outdated. Others are controversial and arouse unnecessary hostility in the professional and/or lay listener. Certain terms should be avoided, and others used in a much more restricted manner than is often the custom. II. Treatment considerations. Philosophical considerations will be presented, along with rationale for specific groups of exercises, such as those carried out for the purpose of strengthening lips, and assignments designed to alter sleep habits. III. Relationships between orofacial muscle activity and dental malocclusions. IV. Informed consent: an important protective document.
Suggested Citation
Hanson, M. L., & Peachey, G.
(1991). Current issues in orofacial myology.
International Journal of Orofacial Myology,
17(2), 4-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52010/ijom.1991.17.2.2
