Orthodontic treatment in handicapped children: report of four cases.
Mentally and physically handicapped children show in the orofacial system motor-sensitivity disturbances and malocclusions of varying severity. These dysfunctions affect the breathing and speech ability and inhibit the food intake. Myotherapeutic exercises for strengthening of lip and tongue muscles and orthodontic treatment of the malocclusions help provide esthetic and functional improvements in these patients. The limited compliance necessitates a differentiated procedure during the diagnostic and therapeutic process and demands compromises in some cases.
Kleint
Gisela
G
Department of Orthodontics, Technical University of Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, D 01307 Dresden, Germany.
Kanitz
Gisela
G
Harzer
Winfried
W
D000293:Adolescent; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000503:physiopathology; D008046:Lip / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000628:therapy*; D009058:Mouth Breathing / Q000628:therapy; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D020247:Myofunctional Therapy; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012119:Respiration; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D014059:Tongue / Q000503:physiopathology; D014061:Tongue Habits; D016896:Treatment Outcome