Braces and Myofunctional Therapy

Misalignment of teeth is one of the most common dental problems in children. Three out of four children have improperly developing jaws and crooked teeth.

Studies show that jaw discrepancies and overcrowding of teeth may be related to the ways in which person breathe or swallow. Orofacial myofunctional disorders such as tongue-tie, tongue thrust, improper swallowing, or abnormal resting posture of the tongue may further contribute to malocclusion.

Orthodontic Relapse

Braces alone may not help. Habits like tongue thrusting can result in the tongue muscles exerting a huge amount of force on the teeth and the mouth at large, causing alterations in normal structure. Some studies show that tongue muscles can exert up to 500 grams of force, while just 1.4 grams is enough to cause misalignment of teeth.

If you have a myofunctional disorder, you may not benefit from orthodontic treatment alone. Patterns of abnormal swallowing or tongue thrusting will slow down orthodontic treatment, requiring the use of braces for a longer period of time.  Also, without addressing underlying myofunctional disorder, the continued pressure of the tongue may ultimately cause orthodontic relapse or shifting of the teeth following the removal of braces.

Why orofacial myofunctional therapy is the ideal solution

Myofunctional therapy is designed to achieve enhanced results from orthodontics. It also helps prevent relapse once the treatment is complete. Myofunctional therapy addresses and corrects the underlying causes of misalignment.  Specialized exercises correct the posture of the tongue and provide long-lasting, pleasing results.

My orofacial myofunctional therapy program is individually tailored to bring lasting improvement in disorders including tongue thrust, tongue-tie, and abnormal resting and swallowing patterns. All of my customized therapy programs are available online! No matter where you live on the globe, you can easily access my myofunctional therapies.

Contact me today to learn more about how orofacial myofunctional therapy can enhance the quality of your life!

Book a free 30-minute consultation now!