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Myofunctional therapy provides exercises for you or your child to encourage proper breathing, speaking, chewing, and swallowing.
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Did you know…
The tongue achieves adult size by age 8.
Comfortable, Precise Treatment
Our state-of-the-art laser dissolves tethered tissue instantly and painlessly, which reduces overall discomfort, swelling, and bleeding. Sutures are not necessary after using the laser, since it properly sterilizes and seals the area with complete precision.
Accessible Care For You
The cost of treatment shouldn’t keep you from getting the care you need. We keep treatment affordable so you can invest in your healthiest smile yet.
The Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy
Allows For Proper Breathing & Swallowing
Myofunctional therapy treatment can alleviate snoring, and increase your ability to breathe and swallow food with ease.
Enhances Your Whole Health
The risk of issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and memory problems can all significantly decrease with a properly functioning airway system, thanks to myofunctional therapy.
Can Improve Facial Aesthetics
By learning to properly close your lips and teeth with your tongue resting against the top of your mouth, your appearance and posture will begin to change into optimal alignment.
The Myofunctional Therapy Treatment Process
Consultation
First, you or your child will have a consultation with our dentist. After taking a look at the tongue, mouth, and airway areas, the dentist will determine if you or your child may benefit from myofunctional therapy treatment.
Provide Exercises
Next, the dentist will provide you or your child with a variety of exercises to train the tongue, lips, and mouth. These will help realign the facial features, and over time, the mouth will strengthen and adopt this new and improved condition.
Follow Up to Track Progress
To adopt new habits and see long-lasting results, it’s important to continue the exercises recommended by your dentist. You’ll stop by our office to ensure that you or your child are keeping up with exercises and developing on track.
Before & Afters
A smile is worth 1,000 words.
Frequently Asked Questions
What issues can myofunctional therapy treat?
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Myofunctional therapy can help address some abnormal movement patterns of the face or mouth, which can be caused by:
- Unusual tongue position
- Prolonged sucking or chewing habits
- Blocked nasal passages
The exercises used are designed to re-train the muscles, nerves, and brain on how to properly move. Often, it can be an effective strategy to treat:
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Speech disorders
- Improper eating functions
- Tongue thrust
What do myofunctional therapy exercises look like?
Think of myofunctional therapy as physical therapy for the face. It’s provided by a trained professional on our team who evaluates you or your child’s condition and creates a custom treatment plan designed to retrain the face muscles and improve their function.
The treatment will depend on the condition of the patient, but some exercises used can include:
- Tongue touches - Pushing the tip of the tongue against the hard palate.
- Teeth touching - Putting the back of the tongue against the roof while keeping the tip pressing against the bottom front teeth
- Party horn - Blowing through a party horn for a few times to help control these facial movements
- Balloon inflation - Breathing in through the nose, and breathing out through the mouth to inflate a balloon
- Sucking through a straw - Using a narrow straw to suck on a more dense liquid, such as a smoothie or yogurt, etc.
Myofunctional therapy is not painful or dangerous. It’s only meant to help you or your child learn how to use facial and oral muscles properly!
What are common signs that may indicate a need for myofunctional therapy?
Signs that you or your child may need myofunctional therapy can include:
- Facial pain
- Mouth breathing
- Teeth-grinding
- Tongue thrusting
- Stomach issues (caused by improper chewing)
- Speech difficulties
- Sleep apnea
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