[Motor activity of the mouth and mouth therapy in cerebral palsy. Preliminary results in the treatment of neuromuscular disorders of the mouth in children with cerebral palsy using the Castillo-Morales concept].

56 patients suffering from connatal cerebral palsy were treated with removable orthodontic appliances possessing stimulation areas according to Castillo-Morales. The intention was to improve the well-known orofacial dysfunctions of these patients. The evaluation of a standard treatment schedule leads to the following statements: The tongue and lip control can be improved in many patients, as well as the chewing and swallowing pattern, the speech and the problem of saliva running out of the mouth. The resting-position of the tongue is normalized in some of the cases. The habit of an open mouth can hardly ever be improved. In a small number of patients some parameters of orofacial function worsened during treatment; in most of these cases, however, a general improvement of orofacial function justified further treatment with palatal plates.