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Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) or Tongue Thrust Therapy Just for Kids?

May 2017

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: International Association of Orofacial Myology, myofunctional, Myologist, myology, OMD, OMDs, OMT, orofacial, orofacial myofunctional, orofacial myofunctional disorder, orofacial myofunctional therapy, ortho, orthodontic, orthodontics — drfranklin @ 9:21 am

Happy Patient of Dr. Honor Franklin

My patient, Gerald, age 52 years old, sent me this selfie photo when his orthodontic braces were removed. Look at that happy smile!

“Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) or Tongue Thrust Therapy just for Kids?”

I get asked this question everyday and the answer is, “Absolutely Not!”

The oldest patient I have seen for orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) has been 76 years of age!

OMT was initiated on this patient in 2013, when he was 49 years old and he graduated from OMT when he was 52 years old.

Gerald was initially referred to me by his orthodontist, Dr. Cliff Alexander of Preston Hollow Orthodontics in 2007 when he was 43 years old. He was diagnosed as being an orthodontic surgical case and Gerald decided to postpone treatment because he did not want surgery.

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GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN…GUYS, TOO!

March 2017

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: best patients, don't worry, dress up, fun, happy, International Association of Orofacial Myology, just wanna have fun, OMD, OMDs, OMT, orofacial, orofacial myofunctional, orofacial myofunctional disorder, orofacial myofunctional therapy, orofacial myology, tongue thrust, tongue thrust swallowing — drfranklin @ 12:25 pm

When I first started my private practice specializing in Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (also known as “tongue thrust”) and Articulation Speech Disorders in 1977, I always thought I needed to be “professional” at all times but I quickly learned I can be professional ~ AND have Fun!

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Does Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Really Work?

January 2017

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: ENT, incorrect resting tongue, International Association of Orofacial Myology, OMD, OMDs, OMT, orofacial, orofacial myofunctional, orofacial myofunctional disorder, orofacial myofunctional therapy, orofacial myology, tongue, tongue thrust, tongue thrust swallowing — drfranklin @ 1:05 pm

Thinking

As an IAOM Certified Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist specializing in orofacial myofunctional therapy (or what has been referred to as “tongue thrust therapy”) since 1977, I get asked everyday,”Does Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy really work?”

The answer is, “Absolutely!”

I think the best way to demonstrate proof of how Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) really works is to show the long term results of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) through photographs of my patient’s teeth.

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Am I Too Old for Tongue Thrust Therapy or Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)?

January 2017

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: facial shape, International Association of Orofacial Myology, myology, OMD, OMDs, OMT, orofacial, orofacial myofunctional, orofacial myofunctional disorder, orofacial myofunctional therapy, orofacial myology, ortho, orthodontic, orthodontics — drfranklin @ 1:26 am

Sarah Smith

My patient, Sarah, age 30 years, sent me this selfie photo when her orthodontic braces were removed. Look at that gorgeous smile!

“Am I too old for tongue thrust therapy or Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?”

I get asked this question everyday and the answer is, “Absolutely Not!”

The oldest patient I have seen for orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) has been 76 years of age!

Like any other exercise based treatment program, it’s effective for patients of almost any age but I have found success is dependent upon two main ingredients:

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CAN THUMB SUCKING ALTER YOUR CHILD’S FACIAL APPEARANCE?

December 2016

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: International Association of Orofacial Myology, OMT, orofacial, orofacial myofunctional, orofacial myofunctional disorder, orofacial myofunctional therapy, orofacial myology, thumb, thumb and fingersucking habits, thumbsucking — drfranklin @ 11:58 am

Although it is normal for babies to suck their thumb, doing so long-term could negatively affect their oral and facial development.

When children suck their thumbs or fingers, they can affect their teeth and jaws in different ways. Some children create what is commonly known as a dental openbite (a vertical space between the upper and lower teeth where the teeth do not touch). Openbites are notoriously the most difficult to correct.

Other children will suck so that it appears that their top teeth are “sticking out”. Surprisingly, in cases like these, it usually is the BOTTOM JAW that we are more concerned about. This is because the thumb or finger is preventing the lower jaw from coming forward and growing properly. Pressure applied from the thumb against the chin can affect the normal growth of the jaw which negatively affects the child’s face.

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