A prospective randomized clinical trial in children
During a six-month period, 45 patients aged 3.9 to 16.9 years were prospectively examined at three month intervals at the Polyclinic for Orthodontics of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. All patients showed multiple orofacial dysfunctions requiring treatment at the beginning of the study. Patients were randomly divided into a non-apparatus myofunctional therapy group [MFT group] (n = 19 patients) and an apparatus-based FaceFormer therapy group [FFT group] (n = 26 patients). The MFT group served as a control group, while the FFT group was the study group. Both groups were comparable with regard to age, gender and the extent of dysfunction. The findings, which were performed every three months, were based on a standardized examination form for patients with orofacial dysfunctions [90] and a functional examination form. Lip competence, breathing mode, articulation, lip habits, swallowing pattern and lip strength were diagnosed. On the basis of the available examination results, it was determined that harmonization of orofacial dysfunctions is possible with the aid of both functional therapy concepts. Within the observation period of six months, FaceFormer Therapy proved to be more efficient compared to myofunctional therapy in logopedic practices.
Establishment of nasal breathing