The Effect of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy on Neuromuscular Outcomes and Orofacial Function in Children and Adolescents in Estonia

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of semi-standardized myofunctional therapy on the functional and neuromuscular characteristics of the orofacial system in children and adolescents aged 7-14 years using a longitudinal study design and a unified assessment protocol. Myofunctional therapy is a treatment method for functional disorders of the oral, lingual, and facial regions. The study approaches the orofacial system holistically by linking functional characteristics with anatomical structures, including palatal morphology and skeletal and dentoalveolar occlusal relationships, while also considering the impact of treatment adherence on outcomes. Participants' orofacial functions and neuromuscular characteristics will be assessed before, during, and after therapy using standardized clinical measurements. The study will analyze the dynamics of changes, individual variability, and associations with craniofacial phenotype and treatment adherence. Despite the widespread use of myofunctional therapy in Estonia, systematic evidence regarding therapy effectiveness, treatment dynamics, and factors influencing outcomes is limited, and unified assessment and intervention standards are lacking. The study aims to address this knowledge gap and support evidence-based implementation of myofunctional therapy, clinical decision-making, and healthcare resource planning.