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Medical and health sciences
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopaedics
- Speech and language therapy
- Speech, language and hearing sciences not elsewhere classified
High-quality evidence regarding the efficacy of orofacial myofunctional treatment (OMT) to reduce oral myofunctional disorders (OMFD) (e.g., a low resting posture of the tongue) and dental malocclusions is lacking. A common malocclusion that is difficult to treat and that is associated with OMFD, is anterior open bite (AOB). Despite the lack of evidence that a pathological swallowing pattern causes AOB and that tongue and lip force in children with AOB is affected, current OMT aims to create a physiological swallowing pattern and to strengthen orofacial muscles. Because OMT programs have never been compared and often comprise several techniques, no evidence is available regarding the best OMT content for children with AOB. This research project aims to measure oral myofunctional patterns in children with AOB and children without malocclusions in the early or intermediate mixed dentition. This fundamental knowledge will be used to construct and evaluate an evidence-based OMT in children with AOB. Outcome measures of a new and traditional OMT program will be compared. These include perceptual, objective (i.e., intra-oral scans, electromyography, and IOWA Oral Performance Instrument) and psychosocial outcome measures. The results of this study will have an impact on research, clinical practice, health and well-being of the patient, and social reimbursement. A more qualitative interdisciplinary (logopaedic and orthodontic) guidance of patients with AOB is pursued.