Oral Myofunctional Therapy:

is a specialized form of physical therapy focused on improving the function of the facial, mouth, tongue, and throat muscles. It targets and corrects improper muscle patterns and oral habits that can contribute to various dental, speech, and swallowing problems.

How Does Oral Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) Work?

During oral myofunctional therapy sessions, aka, myo sessions, a trained therapist works with our patients to address specific oral issues. These may include:

  1. Improper Swallowing Patterns: OMT helps individuals learn correct swallowing techniques, preventing issues such as reverse swallowing (aka, tongue thrusting), which can lead to dental misalignment, orthodontic relapse, and GI upset.

  2. Mouth Breathing: In therapy we rehabilitate nasal breathing by moving patients away from mouth breathing by treating the root cause of breathing dysfunction. Nasal breathing and proper nitric oxide levels are vital for optimal oral and overall health.

  3. Tongue Positioning: Myo therapy helps individuals achieve proper tongue posture at rest and during swallowing, speaking, and chewing.

  4. Thumb Sucking: Therapists work with individuals to eliminate oral habits like thumb sucking, which can affect dental and facial development.

  5. Speech Disorders: OMT can complement speech therapy by addressing underlying muscle issues contributing to speech disorders.

  6. Sleep Disorders: Myo therapy has excellent clinical studies showing that it can reduce apnea by 50% in adults and 62% in children by rehabilitating the function of facial, tongue, and throat muscles.

Who Can Benefit from Oral Myofunctional Therapy?

Oral myofunctional therapy is beneficial for individuals of all ages, from children to adults. It can address a wide range of issues, including:

  • Malocclusion (misalignment of teeth or incorrect bite)

  • Sleep-disordered breathing, such as mouth breathing, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea

  • Speech disorders

  • Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD)

  • Facial muscle weakness or asymmetry

Why Choose Oral Myofunctional Therapy?

OMT offers numerous benefits, including:

  • Improved Oral Health: By correcting muscle function and habits, OMT can help prevent dental issues such as cavities and enhance overall oral health.

  • Enhanced Speech: Addressing muscle issues can improve articulation and clarity of speech.

  • Better Breathing: Correcting mouth breathing can improve respiratory function and overall well-being.

  • Reduced TMJ Discomfort: OMT can alleviate TMJ-related pain and discomfort by promoting proper muscle function

  • Better Sleep: can help improve sleep quality by addressing issues such as mouth breathing and improper tongue positioning, which are common contributors to sleep-disordered breathing conditions like snoring and obstructive sleep apnea