Orofacial Myology condition arises “out of the blue”

Hi, I have a question to ask you. Does a tongue thrust ever just “develop” after a client has been in braces for a period of time? Or it is more likely that the tongue thrust was present but just undetected until a certain time? Or would it depend upon the occlusion and other factors? An orthodontist that I have worked with for a number of years asked me why a tongue thrust might just develop somewhat out of the blue. I was not certain how to answer him so thought that I might pose this question to our Facebook group. Thanks for responding when you have a few minutes! S

Hi S, It is a question that is quite general and therefore could have many different answers. I often use the terms “it depends” and in this case that is certainly true. My initial thought was that the Orthodontist simply had missed the orofacial myology symptoms until he was far along in the orthodontic process. Other possibilities are that certain appliances such as rakes or cribs or other types of appliances may have been used and I do believe that they could contribute to a “tongue thrust” or make one that was mild become far more evident. If there were a sudden onset of a condition affecting the airway substantially and it lasted for a reasonably long period of time, of course that would be another possible cause. Without more specific details, anything further would be pure conjecture on my part but if you have more information you would like me to consider, please send it my direction I’ll do my best to take the time to give you my opinion. I don’t believe that and orofacial myology condition arises “out of the blue”.