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In this Issue
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From the CEO Hello, Over the years many professionals have asked me what to do with very young children with developing malocclusion in the primary dentition. There has been a growing awareness with doctors using the T4K™, that the problems causing malocclusion are present in the very young child. It has taken a long time for this awareness to become more widespread. The best interim solution was to reduce the T4K™ distally to fit the 2-5 year old child. Back in 1992 I designed a primary dentition T4K™ but it was never produced. Something else needed to be added to improve function. Also, dental alignment clearly was not an issue.
This activity plus a newly designed tongue tag, I feel is an added step in restoring correct function to children at this rapidly growing stage. You can feel the exercise component trying it yourself in your mouth. The children then are functioning in Class I, which is exactly how normal jaw growth occurs. The INFANT TRAINER™ was in instant demand on my recent lecture tour of Europe and South-East Asia. Clearly the dental profession now realizes this can be a preventative device, and not just for treatment of developing malocclusion. I see no reason why this cannot be implemented to all children in developed countries. More than 3 out of 4 children will develop malocclusion. Now we have an appliance from MRC that is specially designed for the requirements of this younger age group. Regards, |
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As I think back over the last 6-7 years, the INFANT TRAINER™ would have to be one of the most sought after new products ever released by MRC. Right across South America, Asia, India and even across Europe. Clearly the world has now moved a great deal towards awareness of soft tissue dysfunction and the need to deal with it effectively. This is something the T4K™ does in mixed dentition and certainly the T4A™, T4B™ and T4CII™ deal with effectively at other stages of treatment. Even the MYOBRACE® has focussed nicely on soft tissue dysfunction while addressing the issue of moving teeth without fixed appliances and minimising the need for brackets, especially where the patient is looking for more choices. Parents globally are also moving into a higher state of awareness and recognise that as much as they like T4K™ treatment (ages 6 - 8), there are many cases where problems can be seen developing when the patient is only 2-5 years of age. The INFANT TRAINER™ fits this time beautifully. Used for 10 - 20 minutes twice daily, the INFANT TRAINER™ still addresses problems such as open mouth posture, tongue thrusting, reverse swallow and mouth breathing. But now MRC has a major focus on chewing. We know that due to poor diet many children do not chew properly, preventing correct muscular skeletal habits. The INFANT TRAINER™ has an integral air spring core near the distal end to help with this. MRC continues to lead the way in innovative, effective appliances for soft tissue dysfunction at all stages of treatment. Visit www.myoresearch.com to see the latest additions in research and also effectively made use of the MRC Library of information. Regards, |
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Speech Pathology and the TRAINER System™ In my work as a paediatric Speech Pathologist I regularly encounter children of all ages with various speech and language disorders. One presentation that is quite common in my practice is that of an interdental lisp accompanied by a tongue thrust swallow and abnormal oral resting posture. A malocclusion generally co-occurs and mouth breathing is often present. I was introduced to the TRAINER System™ in March 2004 by a local dentist and since that time have incorporated its use into my management of such cases. I hope that by outlining at least one case where I have used the TRAINER System™, other Speech Pathologists can see how it can be a positive and helpful tool in treatment. Often, a Speech Pathologist is the first port of call for children with myofunctional problems because the speech disorder produced is the most noticeable aspect to the parents or teachers. It is important that an accurate diagnosis is made at this time and appropriate information is provided to the family so that the underlying cause is treated, not just the speech problem. When I first learnt of the TRAINER System™, I had recently assessed a 6 year old girl displaying typical features associated with myofunctional disorder. Upon examination I confirmed the presence of an interdental lisp affecting her production of “s” and “z”. The child had a consistent tongue thrust pattern when swallowing, mixed dentition and an anterior open bite. Her habitual oral posture at rest was with the mouth open and tongue forward, sometimes protruding between the teeth. Of significance in her history was prolonged dummy use – up until the age of 4 years. I was keen to trial the TRAINER System™ and so suggested use of the T4K™ Pre-Orthodontic TRAINER as an adjunct to her Speech Therapy treatment. Whilst awaiting a professional dental consultation, direct therapy to correct the child’s production of “s” and oral exercises to normalise her oral resting posture commenced in the traditional manner. Although she was able to keep her tongue behind her anterior teeth, she could not maintain the position of tongue tip up on the alveolar ridge and was exerting force on the posterior surfaces of her anterior teeth as she made the sound. Following her dental consultation the T4K™ was introduced and with appropriate encouragement offered by myself and her parents, she progressed into wearing the T4K™ for an hour each day and overnight. On her return a month later improvements were already noticeable in her oral resting posture. She had developed more awareness of her tongue position and was better able to produce her “s” sound in practice activities. Her next review after six weeks proved further gains. She used the “s” and “z” sounds with 95% accuracy in her conversational speech and her productions were now made with tongue tip on the alveolar ridge, not pushing on the teeth. The anterior open bite was no longer evident and the oral resting posture was appropriate. These results were very pleasing. Not only had this child’s speech disorder been corrected but the underlying soft tissue dysfunction had also been addressed with the use of the TRAINER. She was also very happy about her new smile! Use of the TRAINER continued for some months after this to ensure her gains were maintained. It was a very positive initial experience with the TRAINER System™ for me and has led to further use with other cases.
Best Regards |
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During late 2005 all my attention was applied to a new design of TRAINER. One purely for function and exclusive for the child in the primary dentition. The result was the INFANT TRAINER™ released last month with active anterior and posterior air springs. These allow micro jaw exercise when in place without the child being conscious they are exercising.
MRC Global - A World Perspective
Testimonial
"The TRAINER is enjoying great popularity in my clinic. Dr Masashi FUKUOKA |
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To assist development of teeth and jaws in the growing child. |
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The MRC Manuals CD-ROM is a practical colledtion of appliance manuals for your use. Order through our offices today. |
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Myobrace.com is a new, informative website about the MYOBRACE® and all it's features. |
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Published by: MRC CEO & Founder: Editor: Jill Steptoe |
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