Tools of the Trade… “The Lip Retractor” Sometimes the lips just get in the way when trying to work with the tongue--this therapy tool will take care of them for you! The lip retractor is a one of a kind acrylic device that fits just inside the lips. The hard plastic flexes just enough so that when its two sides are pinched together, and the curved edges hook inside the corners of the lips, it retracts and stretches the lips back, rendering them practically immovable. Once in place, the wearer appears to sport a big toothy smile. Kids think it’s a hoot; great for adults, too. Following is a list of possible therapy uses.

Reduce Lip Involvement During “r” Therapy

Eliminate lip rounding during production of those pesky “r” distortions. Yes, their lips may still exert some tension, but their rounded lips will not adversely influence the oral-airflow. Rounded lips signal air to flow through the oral cavity (as in /u/). We know that /r/ is produced by the tongue sculpting spaces into resonance chambers (within the pharyngeal space for the “back-up /r/”, and within the oral cavity/tongue for the “retroflex /r/”). Therefore when the lips are out of the production picture, the tongue is “free” to create the appropriate /r/ resonance chamber. Just a note, do remember to add lingual tension during the “r” production—it’s critical.

Assist in the /f/ for “th” Substitution

The Lip Retractor restricts the dental-labial contact of /f/ while the child practices (“drills and instills”) a correct “th” production.

Enhance Your Intra-Oral View

Use the Lip Retractor to pull back the lips and cheeks for a clear, unobstructed peek inside the oral cavity—front to back—during the oral mechanism exam. Use when tongue depressors are inadequate, or when client’s lips fold around the tongue depressor and block the intra-oral view.

Clear the Intra-Oral View & Simplify the Therapy Activity Process

The Lip Retractor maintains an open oral-view for the child when looking in a mirror, and eliminates the cumbersome task of you retracting and holding the cheeks back with a tongue depressor, while you explain and demonstrate the task, and while you simultaneously crane to look at their mouth to see if they are complying with the directions. Whew—sometimes it gets complex! The Lip Retractor can simplifly the overall therapeutic process for you and the child. Keep the oral cavity visible while you focus on the therapy tasks--one less thing for you to do!

Discourage Jaw Closure

The Lip Retractor does not inhibit the jaw from closing, but certainly discourages it. The wearer can, in fact, close their teeth and jaw but with some effort. Obviously, the lips cannot close.

Assist in Lingual Toning Tasks

The Lip Retractor restricts the lips from tightening and rounding, and wrapping around the tongue during lingual toning tasks. Toning tasks typically involve trying to generate some level of tongue tension, with either resistance against the roof of the mouth, or a therapy tool, such as a tongue depressor. The Lip Retractor helps reduce overflow lip tension which may interfere with acquiring and sustaining lingual tension. In some instances the lips and/or the face contract instead of the tongue—not what you want.

Assist in Intra-Oral Photography

If you take photos of the oral cavity the Lip Retractor allows a clear, unobstructed intra-oral view.

Who can use a Lip Retractor?
The Lip Retractor is best used with children ages 6 and above, teens, and adults with articulation delays and disorders. Not for use with very young, non-verbal, pre-verbal children. It comes in two sizes small and medium. The Lip Retractor is non-porous and can be easily cleansed and sanitized.

Where can you find this tool?
The Lip Retractor can be found on various dental supply websites. Just Google “disposable extra-oral cheek retractor”, or, try the following source that currently carries this item. Just go to:
Dynaflex.com, and click on “Products”.
Type in the “Search” square: disposable extra-oral cheek retractor
Their phone number is: 800-489-4020
#1356-S - Small $8.95 per pack
#1356-M Medium - $8.95 per pack
10 retractors per package

Prices are current as of this writing, but they are not guaranteed, of course.
Try a lip retractor on for size and experiment with its variety of uses!