Effects of a myofunctional appliance on orofacial muscle activity and structures

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of an oral shield treatment on orofacial muscle activity and facial morphology in children with lip and/or tongue dysfunction. The sample consisted of 7 girls and 2 boys, 7 to 12 years old. EMG recordings with and without the shield in situ were obtained when the shield was placed, and 3, 6, and 12 months later. Lateral cephalograms were obtained at the initial and 1-year stages. The lip muscles showed dominant activity when the subjects were sucking on an empty straw and during swallowing; this was strongest during the first 3 months. The mentalis, buccinator, and digastric muscles generally showed weaker activity. The anterior temporal muscle showed dominant activity during maximal clench, but after the 3-month stage a significant decrease was noted. After 1 year of treatment, no significant changes in overjet or overbite were observed. Most of the craniofacial growth changes were normal for the age group. The results indicate that treatment with an oral shield caused a decrease in orofacial muscle activity during oral functions. Although there was a slight average retraction of the maxillary incisors, the change in position was not statistically significant.