Effectiveness of a myofunctional therapy program in the treatment of mouth breathing in subjects with malocclusion: a clinical trial

Author(s)

Leticia Korb da Silva

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Bauru.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB/SDB)
• Defense date: 2017-03-17

Examining board members

Giédre Berretin; Viviane Veroni Degan; Ana Paula Fukushiro; Jose Fernando Castanha Henriques; Renata Paciello Yamashita

• Advisor: Giédre Berretin

Abstract

The inability to breathe through the nose leads the individual to develop oral breathing that can initiate changes in lingual, labial and mandibular posture, as well as soft tissue disharmony, with consequent changes in craniofacial morphology, leading to malocclusion. Few scientific papers have described the therapeutic proposals or used objective tests to measure the effectiveness of orofacial myofunctional therapy in cases of oral breathing. Thus, this research aimed to verify the effectiveness of an orofacial myofunctional program focused to the treatment of respiratory function in adults with malocclusion, considering respiratory parameters and quality of life in oral health. A total of 13 adult individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment with Class II malocclusion were randomly divided into experimental group (EG) (n=9) and control group (CG) (n=4). Oral health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and Respiratory Symptoms protocols were applied. In addition, the myofunctional evaluation of the respiratory function, present in the MBGR protocol was performed, which involves respiratory type and mode, nasal flow and possibility of nasal use. The measures of maximum phonation time (MPT) of /s/, inspiratory peak of the nasal flow and analysis of the measurement of the haze area of the metal plate, related to the expiratory nasal flow were also evaluated. It was possible to observe that, after the therapeutic process, the EG patients had a statistically significant improvement in respiratory symptoms (p<0.001), MBGR Protocol (p<0.001), respiratory type (p=0.041), respiratory mode (p=0.029), maximal phonation time (p=0.002) and inspiratory peak flow (p=0.002), modifying patterns that were altered at the pre-therapy period. On the other hand, the CG remained with the functional and symptomatic aspects altered, presenting worsening of respiratory symptoms (p=0.003) and MPT (p=0.013). In addition, in the pre-therapy period, the groups were similar to each other, and after treatment, these were different concerning respiratory symptoms (p=0.047), MBGR Protocol (p=0.000), MPT (p=0.010) and inspiratory peak of the nasal flow (p=0.001). As conclusion, after the application of the orofacial myofunctional therapy program for the treatment of oral breathing, in individuals with malocclusion, there was an improvement in respiratory parameters regarding respiratory type and mode, as well as inspiratory peak, increased MPT and decreased respiratory symptoms. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/05938-0 - Effectiveness of a miofuncional therapy program for the treatment of mouth breathing in subjects with malocclusion: clinical trial
• Grantee: Letícia Korb da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate