CMT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CMT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A periodontist refers a patient with gingival recession on the lower anterior teeth. Which myofunctional habit may be contributing? → Low tongue posture with tongue pressing on lower front teeth
2. Which muscle retracts the tongue during swallowing? → Styloglossus
3. Which muscle compresses the cheeks against the teeth and assists in mastication? → Buccinator
4. Which of the following is NOT a typical orofacial consequence of prolonged digit sucking? → Class III skeletal relationship
5. How does correct tongue posture (resting on the palate) mechanically support the airway during sleep? → It reduces soft tissue prolapse by providing structural support to the oropharyngeal walls
6. Which parafunctional habit is most strongly associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and myofascial pain? → Bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching)
7. During an orofacial myofunctional evaluation, which standardized tool is most commonly used to assess tongue posture at rest? → Clinical observation with visual inspection and palpation
8. When completing an intake form for a new myofunctional patient, which medical history item is MOST critical to document? → History of sleep-disordered breathing or sleep apnea diagnosis
9. Why is the orbicularis oris muscle important? → To form facial expressions and control lip movement
10. A patient with tongue thrust repeatedly forgets to practice the 'spot' position. What behavioral strategy best addresses habit formation? → Linking the tongue spot practice to an existing daily habit like tooth brushing
11. Which motivational interviewing technique is most effective when a patient expresses ambivalence about completing home exercises? → Exploring the discrepancy between the patient's goals and current behavior
12. When setting SMART goals in a myofunctional treatment plan, 'measurable' BEST refers to: → Quantifiable benchmarks such as tongue elevation distance or lip seal force in grams
13. Which structure prevents hyperextension of the TMJ and limits mandibular opening? → Temporomandibular ligament
14. How many times per day does the average person swallow, making swallowing pattern correction highly impactful? → 300–500 times
15. In myofunctional therapy, 'tongue tie release post-op exercises' are critical because: → They prevent re-attachment (reattachment) of the frenulum as tissues heal
16. Which parafunctional oral habit(s) are most consistently associated with causing or maintaining an anterior open bite? → Tongue thrusting and digit sucking
17. How do you determine if a patient has made sufficient progress in myofunctional therapy? → By measuring speech clarity only
18. Which behavioral modification technique is most commonly recommended as first-line treatment for thumb sucking in cooperative children? → Positive reinforcement with reward charts
19. What is the importance of the buccinator muscle? → To improve speech clarity
20. Which condition can myofunctional therapy help improve? → Open bite, tongue tie, and sleep apnea
21. When a myofunctional therapist uses a 'button pull' exercise, the primary target muscle group is: → Buccinator and orbicularis oris
22. Which anatomical structure marks the posterior boundary of the oral cavity? → Anterior tonsillar pillars
23. Which of the following is an important part of the patient assessment process? → Observing muscle function and oral posture
24. What is 'obligate mouth breathing' and how does it differ from habitual mouth breathing? → Obligate is caused by a physical obstruction; habitual is a learned behavioral pattern
25. The levator veli palatini muscle primarily functions to do what during swallowing? → Elevate the soft palate
26. What is the primary goal of myofunctional therapy? → To correct dysfunctional muscle patterns and improve health
27. Which prognostic factor MOST predicts positive outcomes in a myofunctional therapy treatment plan? → Patient and caregiver motivation combined with nasal airway adequacy
28. Tongue thrust swallowing is also known by which clinical term? → Visceral swallow
29. Which oropharyngeal exercise has research support for reducing snoring and mild sleep apnea severity? → Tongue and soft palate strengthening exercises
30. In an interdisciplinary team treating a child with OSA, which provider is responsible for diagnosing and prescribing medical treatment for the sleep disorder? → Physician or sleep medicine specialist