Myofunctional Therapy with an Airway Dentist at Markham Dental

What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy, also known as orofacial myology, is a practice that focuses on retraining the muscles in your mouth, tongue, and face to support healthier breathing, swallowing, and oral posture. 

The therapy involves specific exercises and techniques designed to retrain these muscles to function properly. Both children and adults can benefit from myofunctional therapy.

If you experience mouth breathing, clenching or grinding, difficulty with lip seal, difficulty swallowing, or discomfort following orthodontic treatment, myofunctional therapy may be beneficial for you. Children who suck their thumbs or fingers, or who receive a tongue-tie treatment, may also benefit.

Book your appointment to learn more and discover whether myofunctional therapy can assist you or your child.

What Does Myofunctional Therapy Improve?

Myofunctional therapy can improve a variety of systems within the body, including breathing, sleep, and posture, and leads to overall better cognitive function and language, and motor skills in children.

Myofunctional therapy improves oral posture and the position and alignment of your head, neck, and spine. This helps to reduce muscle strain and mouth breathing. Additionally, muscles retrained during therapy will encourage nasal breathing for better oxygen flow. This can help you think more clearly throughout the day and sleep more deeply at night. It also helps to regulate the nervous system.

In children, myofunctional therapy can also guide healthy craniofacial growth, creating space for proper tooth alignment and tongue posture. It also promotes facial symmetry and balance, and can dissuade harmful habits such as thumb sucking. Children with speech difficulties may also find myofunctional therapy beneficial for improving their overall oral posture and assisting in their speech development.

Who Benefits from Myofunctional Therapy?

Both children and adults can benefit from myofunctional therapy, although they often are referred for different reasons. Some of the common issues myofunctional therapy can improve include:

In Children

• Open-mouth breathing
• Clenching and snoring
• Speech misarticulations
• Difficulty focusing and tired eyes
• Facial and dental development

In Adults

• Chronic mouth breathing
• Snoring or mild sleep apnea
• Clenching, grinding, or TMJ disorder
• Relapse after orthodontic treatment
• Challenges with speech or chewing

Key Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy with an Airway Dentist

Myofunctional therapy provides numerous benefits for people with improper oral posture. Key benefits seen by both children and adults who have completed myofunctional therapy include:

• Improved sleep and breathing: Through proper nasal breathing, many patients notice better oxygen flow, deeper rest, and more energy during the day.
• Clearer speech and better swallowing: Exercises help coordinate the tongue and facial muscles, which can lead to clearer speech and more efficient swallowing in both children and adults.
• Healthier oral habits: Correct tongue posture and better swallowing patterns can help prevent harmful oral habits like thumb sucking or mouth breathing. This can also improve dental health, such as healthier gums and a reduced risk of cavities.
• Support for orthodontic treatment: For patients also undergoing orthodontic care, myofunctional therapy can help improve outcomes, stabilize results, and reduce the risk of relapse.

What to Expect from Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy uses a step-by-step approach to improve how the tongue, lips, and facial muscles work together. During treatment, your orofacial myofunctional therapist (OMT) will work with you to identify areas of dysfunction and provide exercises that target improving those areas for healthier muscle habits over time.

Your treatment will follow this general cadence:

1. Comprehensive Assessment: This detailed assessment helps your therapist determine habits like mouth breathing, tongue thrust, or swallowing issues that may affect daily comfort or long-term health.
2. Developing a Treatment Plan: Based on your assessment, your therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan for you. They will teach you exercises to improve target areas and support your overall goals.
3. Home Practice: Between appointments, you will complete the exercises that you learned in your sessions. Like physical therapy, myofunctional therapy involves retraining muscles and requires ongoing practice to see results. Your therapist will schedule regular appointments with you to check in on your progress and update your plan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does myofunctional therapy take?

The length of your treatment plan will vary depending on your needs and how closely you follow your at-home practice plan. Typically, your treatment plan will span 3 to 6 months, with sessions every 1 to 2 weeks. We can provide more specific details based on your consultation and initial assessment.

Can myofunctional therapy help with snoring?

Yes, myofunctional therapy can significantly reduce snoring and offer better quality sleep. The muscles involved in breathing and airway support are targeted and retrained through myofunctional therapy to improve breathing both while asleep and awake.

Is myofunctional therapy covered by insurance?

Myofunctional therapy is not covered under standard dental or health insurance plans in Ontario. However, it may be covered by extended health benefits or health spending accounts. If you have any questions, please connect with our team.

Who is myofunctional therapy right for?

You or your child might benefit from myofunctional therapy if you experience mouth breathing or difficulty breathing through your nose, tongue thrust or low tongue resting posture, clenching or grinding (bruxism), TMJ disorder, snoring, restless sleep, or challenges with speech or swallowing. We’re happy to discuss any of your concerns and determine if myofunctional therapy would benefit you.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

If you’re experiencing problems related to breathing, swallowing, speaking, jaw discomfort, or orthodontic treatment, you may benefit from myofunctional therapy. Contact Markham Dental today to schedule your consultation and initial assessment.

Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing you with a high level of care and prioritizing your comfort and well-being.

Whether you’re concerned about your child’s development or seeking treatment as an adult, myofunctional therapy can help improve your quality of life and both oral and overall health. Feel the difference of a well-functioning oral system. Schedule your appointment today.