Myo Functional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy (MFT) is a specialized program designed to improve the function and coordination of your oral and facial muscles. This therapy focuses on correcting habits related to tongue posture, swallowing, and breathing, leading to improvements in speech, sleep, and overall oral health.
How the Procedure Works
- Assessment: A trained myofunctional therapist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your oral and facial muscles, assessing tongue function, swallowing patterns, and breathing habits.
- Personalized Plan: Based on the assessment, a customized treatment plan is developed, incorporating exercises and techniques tailored to your specific needs.
- Therapy Sessions: You’ll engage in regular therapy sessions with your therapist, learning and practicing exercises to strengthen and re-educate your oral and facial muscles.
- Home Practice: Consistent practice of the exercises at home is crucial for achieving optimal results.
Benefits
- Improved Breathing: Promotes nasal breathing, which can improve sleep quality, reduce snoring, and address sleep apnea symptoms.
- Enhanced Speech: Addresses speech impediments caused by improper tongue placement or muscle weakness.
- Correct Jaw Development: Helps guide proper jaw growth and alignment, particularly in children.
- Improved Swallowing: Corrects improper swallowing patterns that can contribute to dental issues and digestive problems.
- Enhanced Oral Health: Promotes proper tongue resting posture and lip closure, reducing the risk of dental problems and improving oral hygiene.
Potential Side Effects
- Temporary muscle soreness from exercises (typically mild)
- May require consistent effort and commitment to achieve desired results
Ideal Candidate
MFT can benefit both children and adults experiencing a range of issues, including:
- Sleep apnea or snoring
- Orthodontic problems
- Speech difficulties
- Mouth breathing
- Tongue thrust
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)