What Causes Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?
OMDs develop when tongue, jaw, and facial muscles influence the growth of oral structures in unhealthy ways. For example, a narrow palate can restrict nasal airflow, causing mouth breathing. Over time, mouth breathing prevents the tongue from supporting palate development, reinforcing poor function and facial structure.
What Myofunctional Therapy Can Help Treat
Myofunctional therapy addresses orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs)—often unrecognized conditions with widespread symptoms, such as:
- Difficulty biting or chewing
- Speech challenges
- Sleep-disordered breathing (snoring, sleep apnea, UARS)
- Teeth clenching or grinding (bruxism)
- TMJ symptoms like jaw pain, headaches, or ear discomfort
- Orthodontic relapse
- Lips that don’t close at rest
- Chronic mouth breathing
These symptoms may appear unrelated but often share a common cause: poor muscle function and structural imbalances in the mouth and jaw.
How Myofunctional Therapy Works
Myofunctional therapy retrains facial and oral muscles through guided exercises to:
- Correct poor tongue and jaw posture
- Eliminate tongue thrusting and improper swallowing
- Reduce habits like nail biting or chewing on objects
Exercises are customized to your needs, take just minutes daily, and may include brief use of an oral appliance during training. A typical program lasts 6–12 months, followed by reassessment and potential maintenance therapy to keep your progress on track.
TMJ Relief Through Myofunctional Therapy
While many TMJ treatments focus on physically repositioning the jaw, myofunctional therapy takes a softer, supportive approach by training muscles to function without stress or compensation. It works in tandem with therapies like TENS and occlusal adjustments to ensure long-term relief by eliminating the muscle habits that caused TMJ issues in the first place.
Supporting Myofunctional Therapy with Full Mouth Reconstruction
When structural issues—like missing or damaged teeth—interfere with proper muscle function, dental implants or full mouth reconstruction can provide a stable foundation for successful therapy.
- Restoring Structure for Function: Implants or restorations allow proper tongue posture and lip seal, essential for effective therapy.
- Bite and Jaw Alignment: Full mouth reconstruction can resolve malocclusion and enhance therapy outcomes.
- Improved Tongue Space and Airway Support: By expanding dental arches and restoring jaw proportions, reconstruction enhances breathing and muscle balance.
- Relearning Proper Muscle Patterns: Stable, natural-feeling restorations allow the tongue, lips, and cheeks to function as intended.
Myofunctional Therapy and Sleep Apnea
In cases of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), myofunctional therapy helps in two key ways:
- Encourages jaw development to widen the airway
- Strengthens tongue and throat muscles to prevent airway collapse
Research shows it can reduce the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) by up to 50%, especially when used alongside oral appliance therapy.
Myofunctional Therapy and Orthodontics
Myofunctional therapy complements orthodontic treatment by addressing the underlying causes of crowded or crooked teeth. It supports:
- Proper jaw development
- Stable results post-treatment
- Prevention of orthodontic relapse without long-term retainer use
By training the muscles that shape the dental arches, myofunctional therapy helps maintain a straight, healthy smile.
A Comprehensive Approach to Care
At our Columbus, Ohio dental office, Dr. Firouzian offers a unique advantage: coordinated care across dentistry, myofunctional therapy, orthodontics, and sleep medicine—all under one roof. For patients with complex issues, this integrative approach delivers better, more sustainable outcomes.
If you’re experiencing symptoms linked to poor oral function or structure, myofunctional therapy may be the missing piece. It’s a simple, non-invasive solution that could change your life.
Call (614) 848-5001 today to schedule your evaluation at Firouzian Dentistry.
