Tongue Position and Function Course 2006

BDS (Sydney Uni)

Tongue Position and Function Related to Arch Form and Cranio-Mandibular Disorder.

Research over the last 100 years has demonstrated that the relationship between tongue position and function is directly related to arch form. Yet the importance of the posture of the tongue on Cranio-Facial development and dental alignment is still not clear to many Orthodontic practitioners. Soft tissue dysfunction has a profound effect on Orthodontic treatment and needs to be considerer before, during and after Orthodontic treatment if prolonged treatment, relapse and TMJ disorders are to be avoided.

Myofunctional disorders, Orthodontic treatment and TMJ dysfunction are most commonly considered totally separate disciplines and are well separated in teaching institutions and in the mind of the profession. They are usually divided between 3 separate professionals without any integration.

This presentation will show key research on the interrelationship between the soft tissue, dental and TM Joint structures. It will show how the structures function to produce normal or incorrect development. Questions like “why we have so many children with narrow arches, long faces, malocclusion AND TMJ/D” will be answered. This understanding gives much more weight to what treatment is best in early childhood to avoid CMD, but also, when treating the adult in pain, with poor posture, there can be no more important subject than tongue posture.

Dr Farrell will then present a clinical approach to resolve these problems confronting every Orthodontist using a system of CAD appliances primarily directed at myofunctional correction in conjunction with simple and regular orthodontic techniques.

The use of 3D animation developed by Dr Farrell will be shown, allowing for a better understanding of treating muscles as well as the teeth. These diagnostic and treatment techniques are now used by Orthodontists throughout the world.

Course length: 2,3 or 4 hours.

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