Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders: Key Terms and Definitions
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders Resources
An interdisciplinary approach is essential for study, evaluation, and treatment of orofacial myofunctional disorders. Effective communication among speech-language pathologists and dental and medical specialists helps ensure optimal client/patient care. The following is terminology is used in clinical practice:
- Airway Competency
- sufficient patency of the nasal passages to permit effortless inward and outward flow of air
- Lip Incompetence
- a lips-apart resting posture or the inability to achieve a lips-together resting posture without muscle strain
- Obligatory Tongue Thrust
- a forward posturing or movement of the tongue induced by structural or physiological constraints
- Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder
- any pattern involving oral and/orofacial musculature that interferes with normal growth, development, or function of structures or calls attention to itself
- Orofacial Myology
- the science and clinical knowledge dealing with muscles of the mouth and face (orofacial muscles) and the typical and atypical variations of the functions thereof
- Tongue Thrust
- inappropriate or excessive lingual contacts against or between the teeth at rest or during vegetative or communicative functions
- Transitional Tongue Thrust
- tongue thrust accompanying developmental or other conditions that are temporary in nature