The Function Junction: and along with retraining move-ments of the tongue, lips and mandible affecting functional speak-ing patterns. “Function” refers to the movements and patterning impact of the orofacial muscle balances and harmony of the oromotor behaviors. These include habituated oromotor movement patterns of the tongue, lips and jaw, in addition to correcting resting postures, establishing the dental freeway space, and facilitating nasal respiration. It also includes the impact of parafunctional habits and orofacial behaviors exerted on the dentition and the surrounding head/neck environment. 1, 2 & 4-7 function to become adaptive, or if it is the morphological function influ-encing the growth, development, and stabilization of the form. 4, 6-8, 13-15, 25-28 Decades of debate to vali-date or disprove still leave the orthodontic clinician in the middle trying to figure out if they must choose a side or ignore the issue. Some take a firm stance on one side, while others view Function and Form as a significantly inter-dependent dynamic process where one must be taken into full consid-eration when addressing the other. 2-20, 23-28, 31, 34-35 Utilizing Nature’s Bio-Adaptability of Soft and Hard Tissues By Kimberly K. Benkert, RDH, BSDH, MPH, COM, FAADH O rofacial Myology/Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is the study and therapeutic treatment approach of utilizing the junction between nature’s muscular and behavioral forces and the normalizing bio-adaptability of the soft and hard tissues in the orofacial environment. This “Function Junction” takes place between the functional relationships of the orofacial musculature; func-tional use and movement patterning of the mandible; orofacial parafunc-tional behavior elimination abilities; resting postures of the tongue, lips, and mandible; establishment of an adequate dental freeway space; and the nasal respiration impact on the hard and soft tissues of the dental and orofacial structures (form). 1-7 The Function Junction harnesses orofacial and oromotor forces in a therapeutic retraining manner to eliminate harmful behaviors. Thera-peutic exercises are both physical and psycho-physiologic. These exer-cises are the initiating facilitators creating a neuro-muscular impact. Change occurs by retraining and/or eliminating negative biologic and physiologic forces applied to the orofacial environment, dentition, temporomandibular joint region, 28 May/June 2012 JAOS Bio-Adaptive Theory Functional Matrix Theory (Moss, DDS, MS) – Functional and environmental influences impact the growth and develop-ment of the facial arches. Malocclusions are influenced by imbalances of airway flow, rest-ing postures, oromotor imbal-ances, chewing and swallowing patterns, incorrect forces of the lips, tongue, musculature, and genetic imprints. The Epigenetic Versus Bio-physiologic Debate Discussions have been long-standing and circular, especially when considering the impact of “Function” on the “Form” or vice-versa. This circular conversation occurs most often in relation to orthodontic mechanotherapy. Posi-tions are taken whether it is more epigenetic (form) or bio-physiologic (environmental/function). 3-8, 13-18, 25-28, 30 Opinions still vary whether it is the form influencing growth and development and requiring the
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society May-June 2012: Page 28
