Have you or someone in your family been diagnosed with an orofacial myofunctional disorder? Abnormal patterns of movement in the musculature of the face and mouth can have far-reaching implications, from difficulty breathing and conditions like sleep apnea to dental and speech problems. While your dentist may not be the first person who comes to mind when you look for viable treatment options, one with specialized training in myofunctional therapy may be your best source of relief.
At Village Park Family, Orthodontics & Wellness Dental, our expert care providers receive special training in myofunctional therapy and orofacial myofunctional disorders as part of a stringent continuing education system. This means patients with sleep apnea and a variety other conditions have access to evidence-based treatment with the potential to significantly improve quality of life and overall wellness.
What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Non-invasive and low-risk, myofunctional therapy is essentially the retraining of muscles in the face and mouth through exercises and behavioral changes to address posture of the head and neck, difficulty breathing and improper tongue position. Myofunctional therapy can be an effective treatment for a host of conditions, from headaches to digestive problems, but it is particularly helpful for patients suffering from sleep apnea. Patients learn how to breathe more effectively, how to retrain themselves in proper tongue placement and to exercise facial muscles to better promote healthy, restful sleep. Patients suffering from speech disorders or conditions like TMJ can also find relief through targeted treatment.
Because everyone has individual facial characteristics unique to them, myofunctional therapy treatment programs are tailored to your needs. Working closely with a Village Park dentist to retrain your muscles, break bad habits and improve your quality of life can not only address the tendency to breathe through the mouth and associated difficulties, but a potential host of issues all stemming from something as simple as poor tongue placement. By addressing and correcting a single trouble area, you and your dentist may find the root cause of cascading related conditions.
Putting Myofunctional Therapy to Work for You
At Village Park Family, Orthodontics and Wellness Dentistry, we understand the vital relationship between oral/facial health and overall wellness. For this reason, we’ve dedicated ourselves to maintaining cutting-edge education and training in specialty treatments. This includes a strong focus on myofunctional therapy and its potential for treatment of so many conditions.
If you’re suffering from a diagnosed orofacial myofunctional disorder or even just suspect such a condition, call us today to begin the process of building your tailored myofunctional therapy treatment plan.