Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy at Virginia Biological Dentistry
Virginia Biological Dentistry is excited to offer an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy program, led by our biological hygienist and orofacial myofunctional therapist, Christine, RDH BSDH & OMT.
This program is a customized, non-invasive therapy that focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of functional and structural concerns in the region of the mouth (oro), muscles (myo), face (facial), and regions of the neck (oropharyngeal area).
Evidence also suggests that myofunctional therapy helps to decrease the severity of sleep apnea, snoring, and daytime drowsiness by opening the airway and ensuring sufficient airflow. Furthermore, over one-third of the population suffers from chronic TMJ discomfort. Certain exercises within myofunctional therapy can help restore the temporomandibular joint and correct function, thus reducing pain, symptoms all while increasing the mandible’s range of motion.
The myofunctional therapy, among others, focuses on,
- a neurological re-education component.
- retraining facial muscles,
- strengthening the tongue, mouth, and throat muscles to improve their strength, coordination, and proper positioning.
- improving nasal breathing, over mouth breathing, especially during sleep.
- restoring the temporomandibular joint to address TMJ discomfort
The end goal of the therapy is to achieve optimal breathing, swallowing, chewing, speaking, and an overall increase in quality of life.
Benefits of Myofunctinal Therapy for Children
In growing children, oral habits determine how their face, jaws, teeth and most importantly airway will grow. Children with inadequate airway space often experience difficulty in achieving quality sleep. Sufficient oxygenation is a vital component of optimal health and development. Particularly in children, sleep problems, bedwetting, behavioral issues, depression, anxiety, and digestive complications can have a direct link to poor breathing. The earlier that functional abnormalities are diagnosed and corrected via myofunctional therapy, it can lessen the many unwanted implications later in life.
Therapy Schedule at Virginia Biological Dentistry
The myofunctional therapy program at Virginia Biological Dentistry consists of an hour-long, in-depth, consultation followed by eight or more, thirty-minute treatment sessions, dependent on the patients’ individual needs and goals.
