Open Bite and Atypical Swallowing: Orthodontic Treatment, Speech Therapy or Both? A Literature Review

European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry

Cenzato, N., Iannotti, L., et al. (2021).

European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 22(4), 286-290.

This systematic review investigates the impact of orthodontic treatment, orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT), and a combination of orthodontic treatment and OMT on anterior open bites with abnormal swallow and/or related speech differences under children aged 12 or below.

Not stated

Not specified

Clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, and case reports

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Findings demonstrated positive effects of orthodontic treatment in combination with orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) to improve anterior open bites with tongue interposition between the arches in children aged 12 and under. Orthodontic treatment alone resulted in the elimination of tongue interference in the open bite space allowing for the correction of the anterior open bite and skeletal problem, however did not resolve the maladaptive behaviors that initially led to the open bite, potentially putting the patient at risk for recurrence. OMT in isolation positively influences tongue behavior both at rest and during swallowing with partial reduction in anterior open bite. Combined orthodontic treatment and OMT ensured a greater potential for treatment stability, allowing for the re-training of maladaptive behaviors to prevent recurrence while also clinically resolving the open bite. Further research regarding the efficacy of this combined treatment in this population is needed due to the small number of studies in included within this review with varying methodology and predominately small sample sizes.