Myofunctional therapy is quickly gaining traction among dental and orthodontic professionals. It serves as an effective complementary treatment to orthodontics, addressing issues like tongue posture, breathing patterns, and other orofacial concerns. By adding myofunctional therapy to your practice, you can offer better patient outcomes.

What is myofunctional therapy?

Myofunctional therapy focuses on exercises for soft tissues found in the mouth, face, and neck. It seeks to achieve optimal tongue position and oral rest posture. These exercises can correct a variety of abnormal patterns in chewing, swallowing, and breathing to help patients overcome certain orofacial disorders.

Orofacial disorders can affect orthodontic outcomes, hindering the natural alignment of the teeth and jaw. Issues such as improper tongue posture and persistent mouth breathing exert pressure on teeth, leading to malocclusion or relapse after orthodontic treatment. Tackling the underlying issues leads to more stable and effective treatment.

Improper breathing patterns, such as chronic mouth breathing, are well-known for their influence on facial development. Patients can experience problems such as narrow arches or undeveloped jaws. Improving breathing and swallowing patterns allows myofunctional therapy to address the root causes of these concerns.

Speech difficulties caused by tongue or lip dysfunction represent another issue that myofunctional therapy can effectively manage. Improving muscle coordination supports clearer speech, enhancing a patient’s communication and confidence. This is especially crucial in children with orofacial disorders that can be detrimental to their development.

Myofunctional therapy provides a proactive approach that addresses underlying factors behind orthodontic issues. Retraining a patient’s oral muscles and improving posture supports stable orthodontic corrections and reduces the need for additional interventions.

The Benefits of Integrating Myofunctional Therapy With Orthodontics

Integrating myofunctional therapy within orthodontic treatment plans allows for more stable and lasting outcomes. Addressing patient habits such as tongue thrusting and mouth breathing eliminates forces that can cause orthodontic relapse. 

This ensures that treatments with braces, or other appliances, deliver a permanent improvement. It also enhances overall oral function, leading to better long-term patient satisfaction.

Myofunctional therapy supports airway health as well by encouraging nasal breathing. This improves oxygen flow and reduces the risk of sleep apnea. Ensuring proper breathing supports a wide range of overall health benefits, from avoiding fatigue in everyday life to reducing cardiovascular risks.

Jaw function is another key target of both myofunctional therapy and orthodontic care. Correcting oral posture reduces tension in the jaw and facial muscles, which relieves discomfort and improves chewing and speaking functions. Taking an approach that combines both structural and functional improvements delivers the best outcomes.

Patients who undergo treatment with both orthodontic care and myofunctional therapy enjoy better health outcomes. They can avoid issues such as jaw pain, dental wear, and breathing difficulties. 

The long-term stability delivered by myofunctional therapy reduces the need for repeated orthodontic intervention. As a result, patients are saved the time and cost associated with re-treatment.

Steps for Dentists to Incorporate Myofunctional Therapy

Incorporating myofunctional therapy into your practice can bring many benefits to your patients and expand the range of cases you can handle. Working with specialized myofunctional therapists is one way to provide that option. These collaborations allow your practice to offer this type of therapy without requiring in-house expertise.

Alternatively, you could choose to develop your skills and those of your staff to offer this type of therapy. Continuing education courses can deliver the skills and experience necessary to integrate this treatment into your practice. You’ll learn how to diagnose orofacial disorders and implement effective treatment plans.

Education and certification are key to ensuring you provide quality treatment to your patients. Myofunctional therapy is a complex topic that requires specialized insight to be approached properly. Even after initial education, you’ll need to keep up with the latest developments in the field to continue offering the best outcomes to your patients.

Once you’ve acquired the requisite education and certification, you can implement myofunctional therapy into your practice. Marketing that addition is key to making both existing and new patients aware of your new services. 

You’ll also need to take the right approach to communication. It’s imperative that your patients understand the long-term stability and improved outcomes that come with myofunctional therapy.

Integrating this type of therapy into your practice is an excellent way to expand your services and improve patient care. With the right approach to collaboration, education, and patient outreach, you can make that dream a reality.

Expanding Your General Dentistry and Orthodontics Options

Myofunctional therapy can improve orthodontic outcomes by addressing the root cause behind many issues. You can improve your ability to treat diverse orthodontic cases by developing this and other skills. American Orthodontic Society courses cover a broad range of modern treatment options. Discover orthodontic courses to advance your skills by browsing our upcoming courses.