Use of Edibles as Effective Tools in Myofunctional Therapy: A Pilot Study.

AIM: The aim of this retrospective study is to explore the introduction of edible spread cream and small candies as tools to improve motivation and compliance in young children undergoing myofunctional therapy, with the purpose of optimizing oral functions, including swallowing. METHODS: Six patients, one female and five males, between the ages of 7 and 14 years, presenting with atypical swallowing, were evaluated and treated at the clinic of the University of L'Aquila. The patients included in the study were randomly divided into two groups and were treated with two different treatment protocols: Group A: traditional myofunctional therapy and traditional tools; Group B: same exercises as group A, but with edible tools (spreadable cream and small candies). RESULTS: As expected, the two patients who used edible tools demonstrated increased motivation and collaboration during myofunctional therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Patient compliance, especially in very young patients, limits the effectiveness of myofunctional therapy; therefore, creative solutions are needed to achieve greater cooperation, and edible tools can play a significant part in retraining correct swallowing. Although the sample of this pilot study is small, the results suggest that using actual edible tools in myofunctional therapy could increase compliance and provide better results in myofunctional therapy.

Evaluation of the Loss of Strength, Resistance, and Elasticity in the Different Types of Intraoral Orthodontic Elastics (IOE): A Systematic Review of the Literature of In Vitro Studies.

BACKGROUND: Intraoral orthodontic elastics (IOE), typically referred to as rubber bands, are important tools for correcting malocclusion, and they are classified into latex and synthetic (elastomeric-based) elastics. They have different strengths and sizes, depending on their intended use, that provide clinicians with the ability to correct both anteroposterior and vertical discrepancies. Clinical use, together with saliva, alters the physical characteristics of both latex and synthetic elastics, causing declines in strength over time. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess, through a systematic review of in vitro studies, the properties of intraoral elastics. The primary goal was to evaluate how IOEs behave in terms of tension strength and duration. The secondary goal was to investigate the force loss during the first hours of wear. The tertiary goal was to assess how these forces decayed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following electronic databases were searched from December 2020 to April 2021: Medline Full Text, PubMed, Cochrane Clinical Trials Register, Science Direct, and Literature Review. Out of 8505 initial articles, 10 were selected for the systematic review. RESULTS: The force-degradation property was found in all types of IOEs. The loss of strength was directly proportional to time, with the highest value during the first 3 h after extension, regardless of the elastic band size and manufacturer. The forces generated by the latex bands were higher than in those of the elastomeric-based elastics, but they did not consistently correspond to the loads specified by the manufacturers. The retention forces in the latex IOEs were significantly higher than those in the nonlatex bands, suggesting that elastomeric-based bands need to be changed more frequently and at regular intervals throughout a 24 h period. CONCLUSION: This systematic review indicates that intraoral orthodontic elastics have the greatest loss of force during the first 3 h, that latex rubber bands have the highest strength during the first hour, that the forces generated are not always consistent with the manufacturer's specifications, and that nonlatex (elastomeric-based) IOEs need to be changed frequently and regularly during a 24-h cycle.

Malocclusion and Scoliosis: Is There a Correlation?

INTRODUCTION: Scoliosis is a complex three-dimensional malformation of the spine. Although its etiology is still being investigated, it is clear that a number of factors can influence this syndrome. The spinal deformity of idiopathic scoliosis can be viewed from an etiopathogenetic perspective as a symptom of a complicated condition with a multifactorial etiology. Numerous studies have established its relationship with malocclusion, but it is still unclear how these factors interact. Malocclusion is a change in the physiological alignment of the upper and lower teeth that can be either dental or skeletal in origin. This study's objective is to assess the relationship between scoliosis and malocclusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 646 patients were enrolled (554 females and 92 males), 447 with scoliosis and 199 without, from private dental and orthopedic practices, to answer an anonymous questionnaire. They were selected in private dental and orthopedic practices where they had dental and orthopedic examinations. Twenty-two patients were excluded because of a lack of answers. Participants were given a bilingual survey, in English and Italian, composed of 13 questions formulated specifically for this study, using Google Forms (Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, USA). RESULTS: Univariate analysis of the question "Do you have scoliosis?" shows a significant correlation with the following questions: "Was scoliosis a family issue?" (p < 0.05 OR 7.30 IC: 3.05-17.46) "Do you have malocclusion?" (p < 0.05, OR: 1.19 IC:1.0-1.34) and "Was mal-occlusion a family issue?" (p < 0.01, OR: 1.39 IC 1.10-1.77). Performing a multivariate analysis for the same variables, the best predictors of scoliosis were "Was scoliosis a family issue?" (p < 0.001) and "Was malocclusion a family issue?" (p < 0.05), while the question "Do you have malocclusion" lost significance. CONCLUSION: This study adds further confirmation that there might be an important connection between malocclusion and scoliosis; it suggests that dentists and orthopedists have to check, as early as possible, for the probable presence of both pathologies to avoid a severe progression which, in most cases, may require significant therapy and even surgery.

Evaluation of the effects on SpO2 of N95 mask (FFP2) on dental health care providers: a cross-sectional observational study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this cross-sectional observational study was to evaluate the effects of SpO2 in a sample of dental health care providers who wear a N95 mask or Filtering Face Piece (FFP2) for four consecutive hours, measured by a pulse oximeter before donning the mask and again after four hours of work and to offer some strategies to minimize discomfort and improve communication with their patients while wearing the mask. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 17-item questionnaire was sent via Google Drive to various practitioners in Italy and the USA. A sample of 162 questionnaires were returned from dentists, orthodontists, dental hygienists and dental assistants who committed to wearing a FFP2 for 4 consecutive hours during a work day and then measuring the oxygen saturation by way of a pulse oximeter before and after the 4 working hours. The final analysis was performer on 147 viable questionnaires returned. The sample was composed of 62 males and 85 females with an average age of 42.9 ± 12.0 years. RESULTS: For the entire sample population, the baseline saturation was 98.6 ± 1.2 and, after four hours of mask wearing, there was a significant decrease in oxygen saturation to 97.0 ± 2.9 (p < 0.01). No statistical differences in SpO2 were found across specialties or across types of procedures performed during the 4 h. Heart rates were not significantly different before and after the 4 h in all categories. The 3 most frequent reported complaints were: fatigue (64%), headache (36%) and external ear pain (31%). The most common additional personal protective equipment (PPE) was a mask shield (78%) and those who wore the mask continuously reported more communication difficulty with patients, compared with those who took the mask off more often, in fact, 64% of the subjects reported that using the mask influenced their communication with their patients. Based on the results of the questionnaire, a list of breathing and vocal folds health strategies was devised and proposed, along with strategies to augment communication with patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights a significant decrease in oxygen saturation after only 4 h of work (except for smokers) while wearing a FFP2, and confirms the widespread symptoms of fatigue, headache and pain behind the ears that dental professionals experience. But it also highlighted how mask wearing impaired communication with patients and wearing additional masks and a facial shield may add to those communications difficulties. This aspect and the need for better communication can lead the operators to remove the mask to improve breathing and communication, thus putting themselves at a risk of infection. Of all the aspects explored in this study, the most interesting was indeed the impact on fatigue and communication and the strategies proposed in this article can easily be implemented to reduce headache and fatigue by improving breathing efficiency and by aiding communication while donning a mask by improving voice quality and by using augmentative communication tools.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the protocol of orofacial myofunctional evaluation with scores for Italian Language.

UNLABELLED: The protocol of orofacial myofunctional evaluation with scores (OMES-protocol or AMIOFE in Portuguese language) is a validated instrument for the diagnosis of orofacial myofunctional disorders that can be used in clinical practice for speech-language pathologists. Because in the Italian language there is no validated tool for such purpose, this study was developed. PURPOSES: To translate and culturally adapt the OMES-protocol for Italian language and determine the normal score value in a group of young Italian adults. METHODS: The OMES-protocol was translated from English to Italian by three bilingual individuals. From these translations, a consensus version was prepared by a research committee (three speech therapists and one physician and submitted to a committee of judges composed by eight speech therapists experienced in the area. The authors of the original version verified and approved the Italian version of the protocol. The instrument was tested via evaluations of 40 young and grown-up Italians (age range: 18-56 years) performed by two speech therapists. A cutoff score, previously described, was used to determine the mean and standard deviation. RESULTS: The translation stage and the final Italian version of the OMES-protocol are shown. The mean of scores for individuals with and without orofacial myofunctional disorders were presented. CONCLUSION: The Italian version of the OMES-protocol was developed, translated, and cross-culturally adapted. Normal values for young and adult Italian subjects are presented.

Tradução e adaptação transcultural do protocolo de avaliação miofuncional orofacial com escores para a Língua Italiana / Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the protocol of orofacial myofunctional evaluation with scores for Italian Language

RESUMO O protocolo de avaliação miofuncional orofacial com escores (protocolo AMIOFE) é um instrumento validado para o diagnóstico de distúrbios miofuncionais orofaciais que pode ser utilizado por fonoaudiólogos em sua prática clínica. O presente estudo foi desenvolvido porque não há um instrumento validado para esta finalidade em língua Italiana. Objetivos: traduzir e realizar a adaptação transcultural do protocolo AMIOFE para a língua italiana e determinar os valores dos escores de normalidade em um grupo de jovens e adultos italianos. Métodos: o protocolo AMIOFE foi traduzido da língua inglesa para a italiana por três indivíduos bilíngues. A partir dessas traduções, uma versão de consenso foi preparada por um comitê de pesquisa (três fonoaudiólogos e um médico) e submetida a um comitê de juízes, composto por oito fonoaudiólogos italianos experientes na área. Os autores da versão original verificaram e aprovaram a versão italiana do protocolo. O instrumento foi testado por meio de avaliações de 40 sujeitos italianos jovens e adultos (faixa etária entre 18 e 56 anos de idade), realizadas por dois fonoaudiólogos. O ponto de corte, previamente descrito, foi usado para determinar as médias e desvios-padrão. Resultados: a etapa de tradução e a versão final da versão italiana do protocolo AMIOFE foram apresentadas, bem como as médias dos escores para os sujeitos com e sem distúrbio miofuncional orofacial. Conclusão: a versão italiana do protocolo AMIOFE foi desenvolvida, traduzida e adaptada transculturalmente. Valores de normalidade para sujeitos italianos jovens e adultos foram apresentados.

ABSTRACT The protocol of orofacial myofunctional evaluation with scores (OMES-protocol or AMIOFE in Portuguese language) is a validated instrument for the diagnosis of orofacial myofunctional disorders that can be used in clinical practice for speech-language pathologists. Because in the Italian language there is no validated tool for such purpose, this study was developed. Purposes: To translate and culturally adapt the OMES-protocol for Italian language and determine the normal score value in a group of young Italian adults. Methods: The OMES-protocol was translated from English to Italian by three bilingual individuals. From these translations, a consensus version was prepared by a research committee (three speech therapists and one physician and submitted to a committee of judges composed by eight speech therapists experienced in the area. The authors of the original version verified and approved the Italian version of the protocol. The instrument was tested via evaluations of 40 young and grown-up Italians (age range: 18-56 years) performed by two speech therapists. A cutoff score, previously described, was used to determine the mean and standard deviation. Results: The translation stage and the final Italian version of the OMES-protocol are shown. The mean of scores for individuals with and without orofacial myofunctional disorders were presented. Conclusion: The Italian version of the OMES-protocol was developed, translated, and cross-culturally adapted. Normal values for young and adult Italian subjects are presented.

A one-page orofacial myofunctional assessment form: a proposal.

The author presents her own proposal of a one-page orofacial myofunctional assessment and for each item on the list a brief rationale is provided. The protocol is an easy but comprehensive form that can be faxed or emailed to referral sources as needed. As science provides more objective assessment and evaluation tools, this one-page form can be easily modified.

Instrumentation and measurement procedures in orofacial myology.

The article describes measurements and measuring devices as they apply to assessment, therapy and research in orofacial myology and myofunctional therapy. Although the list is by no means complete, a wide range of items, their objectivity, complexity, applicability and accuracy is presented.

Instrumentation and measurement procedures in orofacial myology.

The article describes measurements and measuring devices as they apply to assessment, therapy and research in orofacial myology and myofunctional therapy. Although the list is by no means complete, a wide range of items, their objectivity, complexity, applicability and accuracy is presented.