ABSTRACT
Purpose:
to present an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Program for individuals submitted to orthognathic surgery.
Methods:
3 different steps were performed: the first involved preparation of the initial program, by reviewing the literature on the therapeutic process after surgery; the second comprised the application of the initial program by two speech therapists qualified in orofacial motricity, to 21 individuals, after orthognathic surgery, who suggested changes in the initial protocol, resulting in a second version; on the third and last stage, the content of the Therapy Program was analyzed regarding the content, by three speech therapists specialists in Orofacial Motricity and further changes were made.
Results:
the Therapy Program was developed based on 38 scientific papers, whose application by the speech therapists resulted in changes, taking into account the facial typology and dento-occlusal conditions, storage of saline, detailing of the goals of proposed activities and elongation of the upper lip. After the experts’ suggestions, the final version consisted of 12 sessions, the first being assessment, 10 sessions of therapy once a week, involving myofunctional exercises, sensorial stimulation and functional training, and the last session for re-assessment.
Conclusion:
it was possible to develop a Myofunctional Orofacial Therapy Program aimed at individuals submitted to orthognathic surgery, to be validated in future studies.
Keywords:
Myofunctional Therapy; Orthognathic Surgery; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences