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 of the following is NOT a typical orofacial consequence of prolonged digit sucking? → Class III skeletal relationship
3. 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
4. Which parafunctional habit is most strongly associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and myofascial pain? → Bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching)
5. Why is the orbicularis oris muscle important? → To form facial expressions and control lip movement
6. How many times per day does the average person swallow, making swallowing pattern correction highly impactful? → 300–500 times
7. Which parafunctional oral habit(s) are most consistently associated with causing or maintaining an anterior open bite? → Tongue thrusting and digit sucking
8. How do you determine if a patient has made sufficient progress in myofunctional therapy? → By measuring speech clarity only
9. Which behavioral modification technique is most commonly recommended as first-line treatment for thumb sucking in cooperative children? → Positive reinforcement with reward charts
10. What is the importance of the buccinator muscle? → To improve speech clarity
11. Which condition can myofunctional therapy help improve? → Open bite, tongue tie, and sleep apnea
12. Which of the following is an important part of the patient assessment process? → Observing muscle function and oral posture
13. 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
14. What is the primary goal of myofunctional therapy? → To correct dysfunctional muscle patterns and improve health
15. Tongue thrust swallowing is also known by which clinical term? → Visceral swallow
16. Which oropharyngeal exercise has research support for reducing snoring and mild sleep apnea severity? → Tongue and soft palate strengthening exercises
17. 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
18. In treating parafunctional oral habits in pediatric patients, positive reinforcement is most effective when it is: → Provided immediately and consistently following the desired behavior
19. Why is patient education important in myofunctional therapy? → To reduce therapy duration
20. What is the myofunctional therapist's role in the care of a patient using CPAP therapy for severe OSA? → Improve CPAP compliance by addressing mouth breathing and oral symptoms such as dry mouth
21. With which type of provider does a myofunctional therapist most frequently collaborate for patients with open bites caused by tongue thrust? → Orthodontist
22. Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) is most closely associated with which myofunctional dysfunction? → Low tongue posture
23. Which pacifier nipple shape is generally considered most favorable for orofacial development? → Flat (orthodontic) nipple
24. What is the purpose of setting realistic goals in myofunctional therapy? → To track therapy costs
25. When should a myofunctional therapist use a nocturnal oximetry report in their practice? → To monitor treatment progress for airway-related sleep disorders
26. What is the clinical term for the parafunctional habit of chronically biting or chewing on fingernails? → Onychophagia
27. Which of the following is an approach used in myofunctional therapy? → Strengthening and retraining the oral muscles
28. What is the significance of regular progress assessments during therapy? → To track patient behavior
29. What type of exercises might be included in a myofunctional therapy treatment plan? → Breathing exercises only
30. What is the correct name for the mature swallowing pattern that myofunctional therapy aims to establish? → Somatic swallow