What is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional Therapy is a treatment for Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD’s). These disorders include inappropriate functions of the muscles of the tongue, lips, jaw, and face. According to the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM), orthodontists have been concerned about OMD’s since the early 1900's because the abnormal functions of OMD’s can:

  • Negatively influence dental growth
  • Slow orthodontic treatment
  • May undermine the stability of an orthodontic correction, resulting in a relapse.

Over 100 years ago, Dr. Edward Angle, who is considered by many dental professionals to be the father of modern orthodontics, expressed his concern regarding how “vicious” the habits of the lips and tongue can be, how powerful and persistent they are, and how he considered success in orthodontic treatment to be “hopeless” unless they are corrected*. By addressing dysfunctional patterns, we can help assist stabilization of the teeth during and/or after orthodontic treatment. Myofunctional Therapists play a vital role in patients’ treatment, and take an interdisciplinary approach by working with various specialists including dentists, orthodontists, ENT’s, Speech Pathologists, as well as many others.

In focusing specifically on the tongue thrust, which is the most common OMD, we know that an incorrect placement of the tongue during rest and/or the act of swallowing, may contribute to a disruption of dental development in children. Goals of myofunctional therapy include the following:

  • Assisting in the stabilization of the teeth during and/or after orthodontic treatment and/or orthognathic surgery
  • Recapturing a normal freeway space dimension
  • Facilitating nasal breathing
  • Promoting a lip seal
  • Guiding the teeth into a more desirable relationship during the growth and developmental years
  • Promoting a posterior, tooth together swallow
  • Facilitating bi-lateral chewing and correct drinking
  • Developing a harmonious peri-oral muscle pattern
  • Addressing dysfunctional habit patterns

To schedule a free Myofunctional Therapy consultation, you can contact our office at (781) 828-4568, or you can reach Courtney directly at Courtney@dreamsmiledental.com. For more information about Myofunctional Therapy and Myofunctional Disorders, we encourage you to also visit IAOM.com.