Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders

what are omds?

Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs), also referred to as orofacial myology, are patterns involving muscles of the mouth and face that interfere with normal development or function of orofacial structures. This includes mouth postures and facial movements that may draw negative attention.

• OMDs left untreated may result in dental issues, impaired breathing and sleep breathing disorders, speech sound disorders, jaw issues, and more.

• OMDs can be found in all populations - children, adolescents, adults and geriatrics.

• OMDs may occur with other communication delays and disorders.

• There is no single cause of OMDs. Learned behaviors, anatomical structures, genetics, and environment are all potential contributing factors.

signs and symptoms:

• Open mouth resting posture

• Low, forward resting tongue posture

• Front teeth flared forward

• Breathing problems

• Structural abnormalities of oral structures - palatal arch, occlusion, torus mandibularis, enlarged tonsils, short philtrum, etc.

• History of oral habits, nonnutritive sucking or chewing, such as excessive thumb sucking, pacifier use after 12 months of age.

• Restricted lingual frenulum, aka “tongue tie”

• Difficulties with swallowing liquids, aka “lip incompetence”

• Poor salvia management after the age of 2 years old.

• Persistent speech difficulties that have not been resolved by articulation treatment, especially for sounds /s, z, t, d, l, n, r, ʧ, ʤ, ʃ, ʓ/.

• Inadequate lingual-palatal seal during swallowing of liquids and solids.

assessment:

• An OMD assessment consists of a case history, collaboration with other providers (e.g., doctor, dentist, orthodontist, allergist, otolaryngologist, sleep apnea specialist, etc.), assessment of the orofacial complex, swallowing, and speech articulation.

treatment:

• Treatment appointments are typically 30 minutes 1x per week with a home practice program.

• Treatment appointments can be held in our office in San Ramon or virtually.

• OMD treatment is a structured, sequential process that targets the weaknesses identified during the assessment.

• Treatment targets oral resting posture, the use of isotonic and isometric exercises to achieve lingual-mandibular differentiation, lingual-palatal seal, and inter-lingual differentiation, increased lip competence, and a correct swallowing pattern of liquids and solids.

• Treatment may include speech-sound intervention with goals that will be easier to achieve with the corrected behaviors of the orofacial complex.

Faq:

• How long does treatment take? Generally speaking, treatment can be completed in about 25 sessions. Every treatment program is tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals.

• My child has another medical diagnosis, can they participate in OMD treatment? Yes, no diagnosis precludes a client from OMD treatment.

• What’s the youngest age a client can start treatment? OMD treatment can start as early as 4-5 years old.

• Are there any prerequisite skills to be a candidate for OMD treatment? A client must have volitional control of their orofacial muscles, be able to self-monitor, and be actively engaged in all therapeutic techniques.

• How much does an assessment cost? Link Therapies accepts most major insurance companies. If we are not in-network with your insurance provider, contact us to discuss private pay options.