Orofacial Myofunctional disorder is an oral condition that is related to the bones and muscles of the face. Some of the driving factors of the condition are excessive forces applied on certain parts of the face, pain and inflammation of the TMJ, postural disorders, issues with the soft tissues of the mouth, etc.

Tongue thrusting

Tongue thrusting is one of the major causes of malocclusion in children. When the tongue doesn’t rest in its orthodontically right position or keeps applying unwanted pressure on the teeth, the alignment of the teeth can change. It can give rise to pain in the facial muscles, joints and even limit the movement of the jaws. The teeth would protrude outwards, which would alter the patient’s bite.

Treatment

We would conduct a thorough diagnosis, during which we would take various factors into consideration. Some of them are mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, type of malocclusion, size and structure of the palate, etc. Based on the observations, we would recommend the right orthodontic aligner to help you with the condition. However, the main concern would be addressing the underlying issues with the muscles and soft tissues of the mouth.

* Information from the International Association of Orofacial Myology 

Call us at (818) 789-2034 or schedule an appointment to have a consultation with Dr. Daniel Tebbi at our practice in Encino, CA.