In myofunctional therapy, we often recommend patients keep their tongue up to the incisive papilla, the area where they make the T, L, N, and D sounds. This practice helps growing children maintain proper development and alignment of the upper and lower jaws. However, for fully grown adults with altered palate shapes, this practice can be maladaptive, potentially causing headaches, pain, discomfort, and reduced therapy efficacy.
Instead, it is essential to customize myofunctional therapy to the patient’s specific oral anatomy. For example, a patient with a narrow palate and evidence of vertical maxillary growth may benefit more from keeping the tip of the tongue down while pressing the body of the tongue up to the incisive papilla. One size does not fit all; personalized approaches are crucial for effective therapy.
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