Myofunctional Therapy

When facial, mouth, and throat muscles are not correctly positioned, their coordination can be affected, leading to problems with swallowing, breathing, and speaking. Harbor Hill Dentistry and Airway Center offers myofunctional therapy for patients with orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). The American Speech-Language and Hearing Association describes this disorder as patterns involving oral and orofacial musculature that interferes with normal growth, development, or function of orofacial structures.

What Are Examples of Myofunctional Disorders?

The following are examples of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders:

• Lip tie
• Tongue tie
• Jaw malocclusions (overbite, open bite, underbite)
• Mouth breathing
• Tongue thrust

What is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy uses a combination of exercises to improve your bite, facial posture, and breathing. This exercise-based therapy focuses on your neck, face, and the soft tissues of your mouth to achieve the proper tongue position and oral rest posture. Patients of all ages may suffer from OMDs, and the treatment is customized based on their age and symptoms.

What Are the Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy?

Scientific evidence shows that myofunctional therapy may help treat sleep-disordered breathing like obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. It also helps improve eating and speech function as well as improving the effectiveness of a tongue tie release.

Interested in Myofunctional Therapy in Gig Harbor?

Myofunctional therapy is an option for people of all ages who want to improve their oral health. By correctly aligning the tongue and improving neck and facial muscles, myofunctional therapy can improve your bite and breathing. Contact us today if you're interested in learning more about myofunctional therapy or think it could be a good fit for you. We would be happy to answer any questions and get you started on your journey to better oral health.