Orofacial myofunctional reeducation: what is the scientific background?

Introduction: In 85% of orthodontic patients, lingual dyspraxias are present and may justify orofacial myofunctional rehabilitation because of their morphogenetic potential. The objective of this literature review is to search for scientific arguments corroborating or not the relationships between dysmorphias and the static, dynamic labio-lingual-jugal balance during functions and parafunctions.

Material and method: A review of the literature was carried out by keywords on PubMed. The search covered the period from 1913 to 2022. A complementary selection of articles or book chapters was made from the references of the included articles.

Results: The morphogenetic role of the tongue is mainly involved at rest and during ventilation in all three dimensions. Oral ventilation is associated with many craniofacial dysmorphy. Concerning swallowing, phonation, non-nutritive sucking and temporomandibular joint dysfunctions, it is the combined association of several anomalies that is found in dysmorphia without a causal link being established. Thus, for some, the lingual posture would only constitute an adaptation to a dysmorphia.

Discussion: Essentially based on expert opinion, the level of evidence is still insufficient. The authors are confronted with the difficulty of finding adequate, quantifiable and reproducible indicators.

Conclusion: This subject, which probably remains neglected because it is interdisciplinary and the result of a historically European reflection, deserves to be further studied.