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Myofunctional Therapy
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Myofunctional Therapy Services
Our tongue plays a crucial role in our overall health. Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are abnormal muscle disorders of the face, mouth, lips, or jaw, that are closely related to the strength and physiology of the tongue. OMDs may affect breastfeeding, facial skeletal growth and development, chewing, swallowing, speech, occlusion (bite alignment), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) movement, oral hygiene, stability of orthodontic treatment, facial aesthetics, and more. Myofunctional therapy treatments are for patients with OMD issues resulting from narrow palates, tongue-ties, clenching and grinding, and sleep apnea (to name only a few).
What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy uses neuromuscular re-education to train your muscles, nerves, and brain how to alleviate the symptoms of OMDs by restoring optimal facial movements– it’s like physical therapy for the head and neck. Treatments are painless, free of side-effects, and involve no surgical interventions (or medical devices like CPAP machines). Myofunctional therapy is a systemic, behavioral approach that aims to support proper growth and development of the orofacial structures, and is a great way to strengthen your facial muscles using exercise regimens as directed by your therapist.
The four goals of Myofunctional Therapy
- Nasal breathing
- Lips seal
- Proper tongue posture
- Correct swallowing patterns
Common signs and symptoms of an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD)
- Narrow palate
- Tongue tie/lip tie
- Open-mouth breathing
- Enlarged tonsils/adenoids.
- Tongue thrust
- Orthodontic overlaps
- Malocclusion: crowding, open bite, under/overbite, etc.
- TMJ/TMD
- Bruxism (clenching and grinding)
- Low tongue posture
- Snoring/Sleep apnea
- Facial muscle dysfunction
- Headaches/migraines
Our goal at Seto Family dentistry is to provide you the best care possible. This may be the first time you have heard about myofunctional therapy; it is our goal to provide patients with the best options for living a healthier and happier life by screening for early signs and symptoms of OMDs. Myofunctional therapy services at Seto Family Dentistry are an option for both adults and children who want to avoid other treatments involving surgery or medical devices. If you are interested in a painless, surgery-free option for treating any of the symptoms listed above, or have any other questions about myofunctional therapy, give us a call to schedule your consultation with our certified myofunctional therapist.