Orofacial muscle response to orthodontic treatment: A comprehensive review.

The present review was undertaken to investigate the orofacial muscle response to various types of orthodontic treatment and consider any possible neuromuscular adaptation to the therapeutic result. The methods of evaluating orofacial function are briefly discussed, and various muscular adaptive responses are described according to methods of treatment. From the contradicting evidence in the literature it can be inferred that no definite conclusions can be reached on muscle functional therapeutic alterations. Many factors hamper a more systematic approach to this subject. Studies available present different methodological approaches in assessing possible adaptation, and use various appliances, making scientific comparisons of the outcome difficult. Furthermore, muscle function has not been assessed longitudinally to determine any long-term effects, nor are the results compared to mean measurements from untreated populations. Therefore, the need for meticulous research is underlined, taking into consideration the aforementioned limitations.