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We are proud to announce the launch of the OraPlace Contracture Tools.  The OraPlace tools allow for preventative therapy to be applied shortly after a burn in acute care, providing a safe way to maintain facial motion as part of the healing process.  The OraPlace tools also treat existing burn contractures with multidimensional stretching to specific areas as needed. They provide facial reanimation, low load prolonged stretching (LLPS), and improved lip closure.

     A Brief Guide on Microstomia Micro + Stomia  =  Small + Mouth Opening

Mouth opening is measured as a MIO or ROM distance. MIO (maximal interincisal 

opening) is the distance between the central incisors when the mouth is fully open. 

Average MIO for adults is approx. 50mm. By measuring MIO, a therapist can determine

if a patient is WNL or has trismus. ROM (Range-of-Motion) is the maximum distance

the mandible moves. ROM and MIO may be different, e.g. patients with an open bite.                        

MEET RAFAEL! Rafael is using the DynaCleft® pre-operative positioning system for improved functional and cosmetic surgical outcomes. Cleft lip and palate is the most common craniofacial abnormality.

Confirmed!! New research reinforces the effectiveness of the DynaCleft System with Nasal Elevators for presurgical infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate. 

A review of a few of the wonderful nonprofit organizations within the HNC, dysphagia and craniofacial communities to support patients as they face these challenges.

CranioRehab is proud to be a sponsor of the myFace RACES FOR FACES virtual walk. This important fundraising event helps raise awareness for children and adults with facial differences. This year's walk, on September 26, 2020, has gone virtual- so anyone, anywhere, can join in! https://p2p.onecause.com/racesforfaces/team/craniorehab

DynaClose strips are designed to close skin defects up to 5cm in width. The strips are clear elastomeric anchored by an adhesive fabric tape on either side. They provide an easy and non-invasive method to close retracted or dehisced wounds.

DynaStretch strips are designed to provide external pre-surgical skin expansion over an area of planned excision up to 5cm wide. New surplus skin may be consistent with the surrounding tissue and can be used to span a tissue defect created by surgical excision.

SutureSafe is an improvement over static tape to support closed wounds, particularly for areas of increased movement. 

It dynamically bridges and supports closure of surgical incisions, allowing a cushion of skin movement while still pulling

the wound margins together with gentle appositional traction. 

CranioRehab Update & Research Refresh. Review "Correlation Between Radiation Dose to Pterygoid and Masseter Muscles with Trismus" and "Successful Rehab of Facial Burns Using Jaw Motion Rehab Systems Including the OraStretch Press". Learn about CranioRehab products.

What is a cleft lip? What is a cleft palate? What causes these openings to occur? What are the risk factors for cleft lip/cleft palate? What are the health implications? Learn more, including diagnosis and treatment options.

Does your doctor want to charge you to use EMG, Kinesiography, or Sonography to study or diagnose your TMJ disorder? You might want to get a second opinion.

A new study shows that many electronic diagnostic devices were no better than clinical exams at diagnosing TMJ disorder (TMD).

After his surgery, Graham created an awesome list of Recovery Tips on his blog, including both pre-surgery to-do's and after the surgery advice. 

A new double-blind study at University of Groningen showed no increased effectiveness of Dexamethasone to improve TMJ arthrocentesis.

Your surgery should be as important to your Surgeon as it is to you!  Plastic surgeon Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez has some great recommendations for discussing recovery and preparing for the surgery on his blog.  Read more to see some of his insights. 

Here is a great blog on a going through the process of a bi-maxillary osteotomy, including a Le Fort I Maxillary Osteotomy and a Sagittal Split Mandibular Osteotomy. http://realityalwaysbites.wordpress.com/

Click to the full post for some suggestions on what to bring to the hospital with you.

Here is a good article on the using hot and cold therapies to help people reduce pain and swelling, and to improve range-of-motion. It has some great footnoted points on dealing with acute and soft-tissue injuries.

Secret Agents on ADVANCE for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine