What are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders? (OMD):

OMD’s are pathological conditions created by disruption in the functions of the stomatognathic system; primary functions related to breathing, chewing, swallowing and speaking. When the muscles of the orofacial complex are in atypical patterns over a long period of time resulting in compensatory adaptions. These adaptations change muscular function, which in turn can result in structural changes.

What we know now that we didn’t years ago is that we need to consider WHAT is causing the deviation from normal and WHEN is it appropriate to seek professional help. The goal of seeing help with a myofunctional therapist is to restore normal healthy function. Causes of OMD’s can be many including poor oral rest posture, mouth breathing, bottle feeding, soft diets, sleep disordered breathing, parafunctional habits and more.

Understanding Myofunctional Therapy:

Myofunctional therapy involves exercises and techniques that specifically target the muscles of the face, tongue, head and neck. By working with a trained myofunctional therapist, patients learn to retrain and strengthen their orofacial muscles, ultimately improving their breathing, swallowing, facial appearance and overall health.

This therapy is commonly used to treat a range of conditions including but not limited to: tongue thrust, TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, and orthodontic relapse. As the therapy gains recognition for its effectiveness, more individuals are seeking this treatment as an option.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Myofunctional therapy is a marathon NOT a sprint. You should expect to meet with me virtually every 2 weeks with approximately 12 sessions from start to finish. This typically takes 6-8 months total.

I aim to make therapy fit in your daily life and not overwhelm your schedule. There are many factors that contribute to the success of a therapy program, but a patient’s desire, dedication, cooperation and self-discipline are necessary to be successful. Support from others can be influential and parents of younger clients who are move involved tend to have better outcomes overall. Consistency is the MOST important factor. The brain has to learn new neuromuscular pathways and establish new muscle memories. These patterns will only integrate by being reproduced over and over again. If clients are not practicing the exercises, they will not experience full benefits.

Collaboration with a wellness team is also crucial. This means that I will sometimes refer and work with other professionals to obtain the best overall outcome for treatment. These other professionals can include but are not limited to airway centric orthodontists, ENT, functional release providers, dentists and body workers (chiropractor, cranial sacral therapist, massage therapist).

INSURANCE COVERAGE:

The extent of insurance coverage for myofunctional therapy varies among insurance providers and plans. While some insurance companies may offer cover, others may not.

If myofunctional therapy is not covered by insurance, you might be able to consider alternative coverage such as HSA/FSA plans which can allow you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for therapy. However, you might need to bear the full cost of the treatment.

Even if myofunctional therapy is not covered by insurance, it is essential to recognize the potential long-term health benefits and savings associated with this treatment option. Improved overall wellbeing is a valuable outcome that makes myofunctional therapy a worthwhile investment.

CONCLUSION:

By addressing the underlying muscle dysfunction myofunctional therapy can prevent or reduce the need for more invasive treatment in the future. Orthodontic relapse, speech therapy and sleep apnea treatments can be long-term and expensive. investing in myofunctional therapy now can potentially save you from the need for these costly interventions later. Moreover, myofunctional therapy can lead to improved overall health and quality of life. Better oral function, enhanced sleep, reduced snoring, and improved breathing can positively impact various aspects of your daily life.