Lip‐closing strength in children is enhanced by lip and facial muscle training

Abstract

Objectives Weakening of lip‐closing strength (LCS) associated with an incompetent lip seal (ILS) may affect the oral balance between the lip and tongue pressures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of lip‐closing training in children with lower LCS and/or abnormal habits across different age groups and to compare its effects on increasing LCS in children with malocclusion and/or oral habits. Material and Methods Lip‐closing training was performed by 154 Japanese children aged 3–12 years using a specialized training device at home for 3 months. Children with oral habits and/or exhibiting less than standard LCS were included. LCS was measured using a digital strain force gauge at a dental clinic at the beginning (T0) and after each month (after 3 months: T3). Results Children had higher LCS responses after lip‐closing training. The first month of lip‐closing training was more effective than the subsequent months. With lip‐closing training, the LCS increased from an average of 6.2 N (T0) to 11.4 N (T3) in Group I, 7.9 N (T0) to 12.8 N (T3) in Group II, and 6.8 N to 11.4 N in Group III. Anterior cross bite, including reverse bite, open bite, and tongue thrusting, significantly reduced training effects. Conclusion Our findings showed that lower LCS in children with ILS resulted in greater responses to lip‐closing training in a short period, but oral dysfunction, such as abnormal habits, inhibited the positive effects of training. Our results suggest that less detrimental effects of malocclusion and abnormal oral habits lip‐closing training enhances LCS in younger children.

3D Printer-Assisted Layered Fabrication of a Novel Appliance for Oral Myofunctional Therapy and Functional Evaluation of Its Effects on Orofacial Muscles During Wear

“…A special button was inserted into the oral vestibule, and the button was pulled in a horizontal anterior direction against the face. After the first two practice sessions, the measurements were repeated three times with a 30-second time interval, and the average value was recorded as the measured value and compared in the wearing and non-wearing conditions [ 16 ].…”

Evaluation of oral function using a composite sensor during maximum lip closure and swallowing in normal children and adults

“…Thus, evaluating lip-closing function in children is important, and there is growing interest in objective methods for assessing oral function, including lip-closing. 13 Various measurement systems for lip closure force and pressure have been developed and can be classified into three main types: (1) button-pull type, 13,14 (2) multidirectional-pursing type 15-18 and (3) mouthpiece type. [19][20][21] While these methods are highly reproducible and relatively simple, they involve large apparatuses, and the appropriate test movements are largely limited to maximal lip closure.…”