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Myofunctional therapy (MFT) is a type of treatment that focuses on correcting poor oral habits. These habits, also known as “bad habits,” can cause oral imbalances and teeth alignment problems. Myofunctional therapy can help correct these bad habits and improve your oral health.

Myofunctional Therapy Benefits

• Improve breathing and snoring issues
• Reduce sleep apnea symptoms
• Reduce TMJ pain and damage
• Relieve headaches, neck pain, and other chronic pain
• Prevent tooth decay and cavities
• Treat or prevent TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder)
• Help children grow properly and develop healthy jaws
• Enhance overall oral health

These are some benefits that myofunctional therapy can provide to both children and adults. It’s a non-invasive treatment that doesn’t require surgery or medication to be effective. Instead, it uses a series of exercises and techniques that help patients correct the poor oral habits that are creating so many problems for them. This form of therapy can help teach patients how to breathe correctly, in addition to providing jaw exercises to reduce tension and pain. 

When Should I Consider Myofunctional Therapy?

You may have considered myofunctional therapy if you have persistent symptoms related to the tongue, oral musculature, or facial muscles. These issues may include frequent snoring, speech impediments, difficulty swallowing or chewing, sleep apnea, and clenching of the jaw. You may also have a structural issue, such as an overbite or underbite, that can be improved with myofunctional therapy.

While these issues are common for patients of all ages, they are often seen in children or teens. By treating these oral habits and muscle conditions at an early age, you can prevent problems such as poor self-esteem and social withdrawal. It may also help prevent the need for surgery to correct such issues in the future. Talk to your dentist about getting a proper diagnosis for you and your children today.

What Procedures Are Involved in Myofunctional Therapy?

This means that myofunctional therapy is a more holistic, all-inclusive approach to treatment that takes into account not only your jaw but your entire airway and oral structure as well. An added benefit of this is that your treatments are customized to fit your individual needs; you won’t have to worry about receiving the same treatment as someone else would. While every patient will need a different treatment plan, here are some of the common treatments that are usually offered:

• Oral appliances to help straighten the teeth
• Bite splints to correct teeth alignment issues caused by TMJ disorder
• Orthodontics to straighten crooked teeth and correct bite problems
• Dental restorations for cavities or other damaged areas of the mouth
• Teeth whitening to improve the appearance of your smile
• Gum or bone grafting to repair damage or restore health to your gums
• Botox injections to reduce and prevent facial pain from TMJ disorder
• Orthodontic treatment to address misalignment of your teeth and create the best overall smile
• Other dental treatments or procedures to provide complete care for your teeth and gums

For more information on what types of services are included under comprehensive myofunctional therapy, contact our office to schedule an appointment.

NW Myofunctional Therapy is equipped with modern amenities and technologies that enable the best treatment opportunities. To know more, please call us at (206) 276-5294, schedule an appointment online or email us at info@nwmyofunctionaltherapy.com to have a consultation with our team in Portland, OR, and we will be happy to help.