CMT Oral Habits & Parafunctional Behaviors 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the most common parafunctional oral habit addressed by myofunctional therapists in pediatric patients?
- Bruxism
- Digit sucking (thumb sucking) (Correct answer)
- Lip biting
- Cheek sucking
Correct answer: Digit sucking (thumb sucking)
Digit sucking is the most prevalent parafunctional oral habit in children and is a primary focus of myofunctional therapy intervention.
Question 2: Up to what age is non-nutritive sucking (thumb or pacifier) generally considered developmentally normal and not requiring intervention?
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3–4 years (Correct answer)
- 5–6 years
Correct answer: 3–4 years
Non-nutritive sucking is considered developmentally normal up to ages 3–4; after this period, persistent habits can significantly affect dental and orofacial development.
Question 3: Tongue thrust is defined as an abnormal swallowing pattern in which the tongue:
- Retracts posteriorly during swallowing
- Presses forward or laterally against or between the teeth during swallowing (Correct answer)
- Elevates to the hard palate without dental contact
- Moves in a rotary pattern similar to adult mastication
Correct answer: Presses forward or laterally against or between the teeth during swallowing
Tongue thrust involves forward or lateral tongue pressure against or between the teeth during swallowing, which can cause or perpetuate malocclusion.
Question 4: Prolonged thumb sucking beyond age 4 is most commonly associated with which dental malocclusion?
- Deep overbite
- Posterior crossbite
- Anterior open bite (Correct answer)
- Class III underbite
Correct answer: Anterior open bite
Prolonged thumb sucking typically causes an anterior open bite due to the physical pressure of the digit preventing normal vertical eruption of the front teeth.
Question 5: A retained visceral (infantile) swallow pattern in older children is best characterized by which of the following?
- Tongue tip elevated to the incisive papilla with complete lip seal
- Tongue pressing against lower incisors with visible mentalis muscle activation (Correct answer)
- Mandible stabilized by masseter contraction with tongue in mid-palatal position
- Soft palate elevation with isolated pharyngeal constriction
Correct answer: Tongue pressing against lower incisors with visible mentalis muscle activation
A retained infantile swallow is characterized by the tongue pressing against the lower incisors, often with visible mentalis (chin) muscle activation and lip strain.
Question 6: Which pacifier nipple shape is generally considered most favorable for orofacial development?
- Round (cherry-shaped) nipple
- Flat (orthodontic) nipple (Correct answer)
- Elongated cylindrical nipple
- All pacifier types have equivalent impact
Correct answer: Flat (orthodontic) nipple
Orthodontic (flat) pacifiers are designed to better accommodate tongue and palate shape, exerting less deforming force on developing dental arches than round nipples.
Question 7: What is the clinical term for the parafunctional habit of chronically biting or chewing on fingernails?
- Bruxism
- Onychophagia (Correct answer)
- Trichotillomania
- Dermatophagia
Correct answer: Onychophagia
Onychophagia is the clinical term for chronic nail biting, a parafunctional oral habit that myofunctional therapists may address as part of comprehensive treatment.
CMT Oral Habits & Parafunctional Behaviors 1
What is the most common parafunctional oral habit addressed by myofunctional therapists in pediatric patients?