PALATOGRAM

Myofunktional Exercise  Collect ion

Application:

no illustration

The measures discussed in this chapter do not stand for special exercises but represent methods for visualising mostly disturbed  intraoral movement sequences which otherwise are not visually controllable for the purpose of diagnosing, of monitoring a correctly performed Training or of therapy progress (documentation).

For this reason commonly movement sequences are prescribed as employ in MFT-exercises (for example the deglutition reflex or subunits of it as the ,ZIP’-EXERCISE or the SQUEEZE-A-FLAKE).

The PALATOGRAM is used for a distinctive control of the muscle actions of presumably the tongue. By creating an imprint during the Stand-by position or function (reflex loop) on the palate and other locations within the oral cavity regarded as critical a view is gained about the otherwise hidden procedures within the mouth by contact  transmission of the dye.( see annotations in paragraph ‘Discussion’ and chapter MULTIMEDIA).

With the original Palatogramm through previously positioned blots of stain for example on the tongue which will leave stain at the surrounding textures during the muscle actions taking place  marking a border position to be read at the following inspection. Generally this procedure tries to make visible notable positions (at the Had palate, Palatum Durum).

Materials:

As a dye should be used harmless colours and pigment pastes (allergies!), dyed palatal plates or computer aided electronic recording with or without sensors.

Procedure:

- Previous exercises: The motion sequences needed for the registration as well, as the application of the devices should initially have been explained to the patient to facilitate a correct recording.

-Starting position: Registration specific.

- Step-by-step-description:

-1 The movement sequence to be carried out firstly is practiced without the device.

-2 As needed for a prearrangement the appliance or colour pate are applied.

-3 The typical movement is carried out only once and immediately after that the mouth is opened as not to blur the colour markings.

-4 The result is recorded.

-Timing: It is recommendable to repeat the measures in the course of therapy in regular intervals to document the therapy progress.

Characteristics:

Information, (documentation).

Remarks:

With artificial colouring allergic reactions have been observed. In those cases soot blackening should be preferred (regarding the relevance of this recording see following discussion).

Discussion:

The PALATOGRAM is a quite simple method to be practiced without considerable expenditure for the determination of border positions from movable tissues. As described in the chapter MULTIMEDIA newer electronic devices are much more suited for plotting movement sequences taking place in regions being out of inspection by the eye. A certain drawback for these methods seems to be the necessary complexity in acquisition and operation of these equipments. An urgent discussion needs the question of influencing the physiologic processes through the measures applied. Critics may argue that during the measurements carried out by the therapist there would never be recorded the usual sequence (neither physiologic nor pathologic) because of the necessary manipulations influencing mainly the surface sensory effect of the system.

Already the laying on and the mere presence of the colour paste causes a slight disturbance which will rise with the use of a greased palatal plate but even if this is equipped with electronic sensors.

Significantly more precise data may be gained from non-invasive methods like the three-dimensional recordings with the magnetic resonance scan.

Instructions: