Pilot RCT finds orofacial myofunctional program improves respiratory measures in adults with malocclusion

This pilot randomized clinical trial enrolled 13 adults with dental malocclusion undergoing orthodontic treatment. Participants were assigned to either a 3-month orofacial myofunctional program (n=9) or a control group (n=4), though the specific control intervention was not reported. The primary outcomes focused on respiratory function.

At 3 months, the intervention group showed statistically significant improvements in multiple respiratory measures compared to baseline: respiratory symptoms (p<0.001), MBGR score (p<0.001), respiratory type (p=0.041), respiratory mode (p=0.029), maximum phonation time of /s/ (p=0.002), and nasal peak inspiratory flow (p=0.002). The control group showed worsening in respiratory symptoms (p=0.003) and maximum phonation time (p=0.013). Oral health-related quality of life, measured by OHIP-14, showed no significant changes for either group (p>0.05).

Safety and tolerability data, including adverse events and discontinuations, were not reported. Key limitations include the very small sample size (n=13), pilot study design, unspecified control intervention, and lack of reported effect sizes or absolute numbers for outcomes. The 3-month follow-up is short-term.

For clinical practice, these findings suggest that orofacial myofunctional therapy may offer respiratory benefits for adults with malocclusion, but the evidence remains preliminary. The lack of quality of life improvement and unknown safety profile warrant caution. Larger, more rigorous trials with longer follow-up are needed before considering this as a standard adjunct to orthodontic care.