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Many orthodontic malocclusions are caused by dysfunctions of the soft tissues, which can often be regarded as causative factors. In addition to the exercises that have been developed over time as part of myofunctional therapy, supportive devices are also occasionally offered. The aim of this study was the comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of the FaceFormer, a device that primarily has a modifying effect on the soft tissues of the lips.
Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of the FaceFormer
Material and method
40 children and adolescents aged between 5 and 17 years with various dysfunctions, such as lip incompetence, mouth breathing and sucking habits, and the resulting orthodontic problems, such as frontal open bite, were treated with the FaceFormer over a period of three months. The control group consisted of two groups of 40 test subjects. On the one hand, 20 patients treated with other myofunctional therapy techniques and, on the other hand, 20 untreated subjects. For this study, the lip forces were measured with a myoscanner and a spring balance (Fig. 1, 2) before and after treatment. Intra- and perioral photos as well as profile and enface photos were also taken (Figs. 3, 4).
The picture shows the myoscanner, a device for determining lip pressure when the lips are closed.
Fig. 1: Myoscanner
Illustration of the spring balance, which can be used to quantitatively determine the resistance to tensile forces exerted on the lips.
Fig. 2: Spring scale
Photo of a 7-year-old child before treatment with the FaceFormer in the mouth. The wrinkles are clearly visible due to the contraction of the mentalis muscle, which has to partially compensate for the lip weakness.
Fig. 3: Before treatment
The same child after three months of treatment with the FaceFormer. The lip strength was increased by the training so that the mentalis muscle no longer had to be used as an auxiliary muscle.
Fig. 4: After three months of treatment
The same child after three months of treatment with the FaceFormer. The lip strength was increased by the training so that the mentalis muscle no longer had to be used as an auxiliary muscle.
Fig. 5: Lip strength before and after three months of treatment
The scatter diagram shows the difference in lip strength after treatment with the FaceFormer at different ages. There is a tendency for greater improvements in lip strength to be achieved at a younger age.
Fig. 6: Change in lip strength at different ages
After three months of treatment, an improvement in lip strength, mouth posture and tongue positioning was observed with the FaceFormer.
This improvement in lip strength was maximal in the group treated with the FaceFormer and may have depended on age (Fig. 5, 6). With regard to the convenience and simplicity of the individual myofunctional techniques, there were different individual assessments. The FaceFormer was accepted and tolerated well to very well by the majority of patients. The exercises with the FaceFormer were easier to control by the parents and adolescent patients compared to the other myofunctional methods. This also increased the motivation to perform the exercises in the long term.
There was a tendency towards greater improvement in lip strength the younger the children treated were.
Conclusion
The treatment success of myofunctional therapy with the FaceFormer depends on the frequency and duration of use.
Literature
Berndsen, Klaus-Jürgen: Ein einfaches Übungsgerät bringt Hilfe. Zahnarzt-Woche 1, 2000
Garliner, Daniel: Myofunktionelle Therapie in der Praxis. Verlag zahnärztlich-medizinisches Schrifttum. Schmitt, München 1982
Thiele, E. / Clausnitzer, R. / Clausnitzer, V.: Myofunktionelle Therapie. Hüthig, Heidelberg 1992
Source: University Mainz
