Influence of early myofunctional training on maxillary arch development in children aged 4–7 years with mild oral habits: a controlled pilot study - Summary - DentalSpire
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Influence of early myofunctional training on maxillary arch development in children aged 4–7 years with mild oral habits: a controlled pilot study
To determine the effects of organized early myofunctional training on the development of the maxillary arch in children aged 4–7 with mild oral habits.
Approach:
Study Design: A controlled pilot study with a sample size of 64 children divided into an intervention group (n = 32) receiving myofunctional training and a control group (n = 32) receiving habit cessation counselling only.
Measurements: Dental impressions and digital measurements of maxillary intercanine width, intermolar width, arch perimeter, and palatal depth were taken at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.
Outcome Assessment: Validated questionnaires and clinical examinations were used to measure oral habit frequency and orofacial muscle functioning.
Key Findings:
The intervention group showed significantly greater increases in intercanine width (3.42 ± 1.18 mm vs. 1.87 ± 0.95 mm; p < 0.001).
Intermolar width increased more in the intervention group (2.76 ± 1.04 mm vs. 1.45 ± 0.88 mm; p < 0.001).
Arch perimeter increased by 4.28 ± 1.56 mm in the intervention group vs. 2.34 ± 1.21 mm in controls (p < 0.001).
Habit cessation was higher in the intervention group (87.5% vs. 65.6%; p = 0.038).
Orofacial muscle function scores improved significantly more in the intervention group (p < 0.001).
Interpretation:
Limitations:
The study is a pilot investigation with a relatively small sample size.
Long-term effects of myofunctional therapy on maxillary arch development were not assessed.
