MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY IN MILTON, ONTARIO
At Oasis Dental, we are committed to providing specialized care for our patients' oral health. One of our services is myofunctional therapy in Milton, which is retraining the muscles of the face and mouth, tongue posture, and breathing patterns. Whether it’s correcting a tongue thrust or addressing pediatric health care needs, we want the best outcomes for our patients. Early intervention in muscle function is key in preventing more serious orthodontic or speech problems down the track, and we can help guide you or your child on this journey to better oral health.
WHAT IS MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY
Myofunctional therapy is a treatment to correct tongue thrust, mouth breathing, and sleep disordered breathing. It’s retraining of improper swallowing patterns and tongue rest posture, which has a huge impact on facial development, jaw development, teeth coming in straight and oral health. Early intervention from birth can optimize facial development and prevent problems like misaligned teeth or speech difficulties. According to the Canadian Dental Association, myofunctional therapy is key to addressing these issues. At Oasis Dental, we offer this therapy as part of our community-based practice to benefit our patients.
Myofunctional therapy is a holistic approach to oral health, speech, and facial growth. For children it’s for tongue ties or lip ties, and for adults it’s to support orthodontic treatment by promoting proper growth and development. Non-invasive and focused on nasal breathing, myofunctional therapy improves well-being by ensuring the correct function of the muscles involved in breathing and swallowing. At Oasis Dental, we create personalized care plans for each patient to achieve the best outcomes for their overall health with our certified myofunctional therapist.
TYPES OF MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY
At Oasis Dental, we have different myofunctional therapy options to suit different needs. For children, we address habits like thumb sucking or finger sucking, which can affect growth and development. For adults, we treat symptoms related to misaligned teeth, narrow small jaws, sleep disorders, jaw pain, and incorrect muscle function. Each type of therapy is tailored to address specific symptoms, so the right approach is taken for facial development and tongue posture. Our treatment also considers the role of soft tissue and facial muscles in oral function.
Tongue Thrust Therapy: This therapy corrects improper swallowing patterns and retrains the tongue to rest in the right position, supporting proper facial development and longer term stability of orthodontic treatment so teeth don't shift.
Mouth Breathing Therapy: Encouraging nasal breathing instead of mouth breathing promotes facial growth, improving both oral health and overall well-being.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing Therapy: Sleep-related issues caused by mouth breathing can be addressed through myofunctional therapy, improving sleep quality and life quality.
Thumb-Sucking Therapy: Thumb and finger sucking can lead to misaligned teeth and facial development problems; this therapy helps children break these habits early.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT): This therapy targets the function of the lips, tongue, and jaw, ensuring proper facial muscle balance, preventing teeth from shifting after braces and improving oral health.
Speech-Related Myofunctional Therapy: Poor tongue posture and lip incompetence often cause speech problems that can be improved with targeted therapy.
BENEFITS OF MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY
Myofunctional therapy improves many aspects of oral health, orthodontic stability so teeth don't shift after braces, and overall well-being. It benefits patients by improving breathing, facial development, and muscle coordination. For children and adults, it can improve chewing, swallowing, and speech. Early intervention can prevent orthodontic problems down the track, which means fewer complications and less need for braces or other treatments. At Oasis Dental, we are patient-focused, so we will meet your individual needs with our best care.
Stability for Orthodontic Treatment: After orthodontic treatment teeth are prone to shifting back to their original positions if the swallowing is not correct or if you are not nasal breathing . Myofunctional therapy strengthens oral muscles and promotes proper tongue posture, ensuring long-term stability. This reduces the likelihood of relapse and helps maintain the beautiful smile achieved through orthodontics.
Improved Breathing: Encouraging nasal breathing through therapy minimizes mouth breathing, leading to better oxygen intake. This improves sleep quality, reduces snoring, and enhances overall health. For those struggling with sleep-disordered breathing or mild apnea, myofunctional therapy can be a game-changer.
Enhanced Facial Development: Correcting oral muscle function and ensuring proper tongue posture play a crucial role in facial growth, especially during childhood. Myofunctional therapy promotes balanced facial development, improving jaw alignment and reducing the risk of related complications.
Corrected Swallowing Patterns: Improper swallowing, also known as tongue thrust, can exert undue pressure on teeth, causing misalignment over time. Myofunctional therapy retrains the tongue to rest and function in the correct position, preventing these long-term issues and enhancing oral function.
Reduced Orthodontic Problems: By addressing underlying muscle and posture issues early, myofunctional therapy minimizes the need for extensive orthodontic treatments later in life. This proactive approach can save time, money, and the discomfort of more invasive treatments.
Speech Improvement: Speech difficulties stemming from poor tongue posture or lip incompetence often improve significantly with therapy. Proper oral function aids in clearer pronunciation and enhances overall communication abilities, boosting confidence for both children and adults.
MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY PROCEDURE AT OASIS DENTAL
At Oasis Dental, we follow a step-by-step process to get the best results for our patients. During your first appointment, we do an in-depth assessment to identify tongue thrust, thumb sucking, or lip incompetence. From there, we create a personalized treatment plan to address these issues with specific goals for oral function and facial muscle balance. For pediatric patients, we monitor their growth and development to ensure the therapy is working. We have regular follow-up sessions to track progress and make any adjustments as needed.
Initial Assessment: A full evaluation is done to assess your muscle function, tongue posture, and breathing habits.
Customized Treatment Plan: Based on the findings, a treatment plan is developed to address your specific needs, whether it’s improving tongue rest posture or retraining swallowing patterns.
Therapy Sessions: These sessions involve exercises aimed at improving oral function, focusing on tongue posture, facial muscles, and nasal breathing.
Monitoring and Adjustments: Regular progress checks are done to track the success of the therapy and make any needed changes.
Final Evaluation: After the therapy is complete, we do a final evaluation to ensure that issues like tongue thrust or mouth breathing have been corrected.
WHY CHOOSE OASIS DENTAL FOR YOUR MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY IN MILTON?
Oasis Dental is a leading provider of myofunctional therapy in Milton. We are patient-focused; we create personalized treatment plans for each individual. Our team has additional training in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, Facial and Jaw Development, TMJ Disorder and Sleep Apnea, so we have the latest techniques for oral health. We are a family dentistry practice, so we specialize in pediatric care, so we are the perfect choice for families looking for high-quality care for their children. We are a community-based practice, so we pride ourselves on friendly, personalized service in a relaxed environment.
Highly Trained Team: Our dentists and hygienists have received additional training in myofunctional therapy, ensuring they can address a wide range of concerns, from tongue thrust to orthodontic issues.
Comprehensive Care: We offer a full range of services, from correcting mouth breathing to interceptive orthodontics.
Patient-Focused Approach: Our care is focused on the individual, ensuring that each treatment plan is designed for long-term oral health.
Community-Based Practice: As a local clinic, we are deeply connected to the Milton community, offering a friendly and welcoming environment for all our patients.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does myofunctional therapy benefit children?
Children benefit from myofunctional therapy by improving oral function, preventing orthodontic issues, facial development, and speech problems caused by poor muscle coordination.
Is myofunctional therapy covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for myofunctional therapy varies depending on the provider and your plan. Check with your insurance provider to confirm.
What are the signs I or my child need myofunctional therapy?
Signs you/my child may need myofunctional therapy are difficulty swallowing, speech problems, mouth breathing, thumb sucking, and misaligned teeth.
How long does myofunctional therapy take?
The time frame for myofunctional therapy varies on the individual. Some treatments may take a few months, while others may take a year or more to achieve optimal results.
Can myofunctional therapy help prevent teeth from shifting after braces?
Yes, myofunctional therapy can help prevent teeth from shifting after braces by addressing the underlying causes of misalignment. By strengthening the muscles of the tongue, lips, and cheeks, and promoting proper tongue posture and swallowing patterns, myofunctional therapy reduces forces that can cause teeth to shift. This helps maintain the alignment achieved through orthodontic treatment, providing long-term stability and reducing the need for future adjustments.
Can myofunctional therapy help with sleep problems?
Yes, myofunctional therapy can help with sleep disordered breathing by promoting nasal breathing and correcting mouth breathing habits.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION TODAY
Oasis Dental can help you achieve better oral health and overall well-being with myofunctional therapy. Addressing tongue thrust and mouth breathing early can make a big difference to your life. Book now or call 905-876-2747 to schedule a consultation. Let our experienced team provide you with the personalized care you deserve!
