Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy at Richmond Family Dentistry

Richmond Family Dentistry is excited to offer an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy program, led by our biological hygienist and orofacial myofunctional therapist, Christine, RDH BSDH & OMT.

This program is a customized, non-invasive therapy that focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of functional and structural concerns in the region of the mouth (oro), muscles (myo), face (facial), and regions of the neck (oropharyngeal area).

Evidence suggests also that myofunctional therapy helps to decrease the severity of sleep apnea, snoring, and daytime drowsiness by opening the airway and ensuring sufficient airflow. Furthermore, over one-third of the population suffers from chronic TMJ discomfort. Certain exercises within myofunctional therapy can help restore the tempeomandibular joint and correct function, thus reducing pain, symptoms all while increasing the mandible’s range of motion.

The myofunctional therapy, among others, focuses on,

• a neurological re-education component;
• retraining facial muscles,
• strengthening the tongue, mouth and throat muscles to improve their strength, coordination, and proper positioning.
• improving nasal breathing, over mouth breathing, especially during sleep.
• restoring the tempeomandibular joint to address TMJ discomfort

The end goal of the therapy is to achieve optimal breathing, swallowing, chewing, speaking, and an overall increase in quality of life.

Benefits of myofunctinal therapy for children

In growing children, oral habits determine how their face, jaws, teeth and most importantly airway will grow. Children with inadequate airway space often experience difficulty in achieving quality sleep. Sufficient oxygenation is a vital component of optimal health and development. Particularly in children, sleep problems, bedwetting, behavioral issues, depression, anxiety, and digestive complications can have a direct link to poor breathing. The earlier that functional abnormalities are diagnosed and corrected via myofunctional therapy, it can lessen the many unwanted implications later in life.

Therapy schedule at Richmond Family Dentistry

The myofunctional therapy program at Richmond Family Dentistry consists of an hour-long, in-depth, consultation followed by eight or more, thirty-minute treatment sessions, dependent on the patients’ individual needs and goals.

Dr. Mercola wrote an article discussing the health benefits of myofunctional therapy that our patients may find to be of additional interest.