Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Orofacial Myofunctional
Disorders
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD) encompass a range of functional and postural irregularities related to the muscles of the mouth and the face. They can have a detrimental impact on craniofacial development, dental stability, and speech.
Signs and Symptoms of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
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Tongue thrust pattern
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Mouth breathing
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Drooling
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Improper swallowing or chewing patterns
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Speech problems
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Breastfeeding difficulties
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Poor oral habits (thumb sucking, licking lips, biting)
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Bruxism (teeth grinding, clenching) or TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder)
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Sleep disordered breathing (snoring, sleep apnea, etc.) resulting in poor sleeping ptatterns
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Facial muscle imbalances
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Poor posture
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Dental misalignment (malocclusions)
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Orthodontic/orthognathic surgical relapse
Orofacial Myofunctional
Therapy
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) targets the improper function and posture of the orofacial muscles. Through a customized plan, patients engage in exercises to strengthen the tongue, lips, and facial muscles, while also learning proper swallowing patterns and tongue positioning. This therapy aims to enhance oral health, speech clarity, and facial aesthetics.
4 Goals of Myofunctional Therapy
1. Improve nasal breathing
​2. Maintain appropriate lip seal​
3. Habituate appropriate resting tongue posture
4. Correct swallowing and chewing patterns
Correcting improper oral habits and muscle functions through orofacial myofunctional therapy can create a more favorable environment for orthodontic treatment. When the underlying muscle issues are addressed, orthodontic interventions like braces can be more effective in achieving optimal results. Addressing orofacial myofunctional disorders early can help prevent potential complications and more extensive treatment needs in the future.
Benefits of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Improve overall oral muscle coordination and function
Prevent or alleviate head, neck, jaw, and ear pain
Enhance aesthetics (increased facial symmetry, straighten teeth, improve posture, etc.)
Improve sleeping patterns, positively impacting attention, memory, and learning abilities
Improve communication through increased speech clarity
Reduce chances of relapse after orthodontic or orthognathic treatment
Reduce breathing issues contributing to dry mouth, bad breath, etc.
Reduce or eliminate oral habits (thumb sucking, lip biting, etc.)
Efficient chewing and swallowing, improving digestion and overall oral function
Re-educate lingual function after a frenectomy (tongue tie release)
