Myofunctional Orofacial Therapy in Bentleigh East

Myofunctional orofacial therapy involves a set of simple exercises. These exercises are non-invasive and have become more popular because of recent research showing it is effective  improve the coordination and tone of the tongue and other upper airway muscles. Myofunctional therapy retrains the muscles of the face, tongue, and airway to work the way they were designed to — supporting nasal breathing, correct tongue posture, and a healthy bite. Poor muscle patterns in childhood can drive crowded teeth, narrow jaws, mouth breathing, and disrupted sleep. Our approach identifies the  causes and guides patients through a structured, integrative program to correct them.

Myofunctional exercises are introduced sequentially with a therapist at each visit and repetitive practice is done at home to reinforce new habits, and build strength, coordination and endurance of the tongue and other upper airway muscles.

Orofacial myology focuses on identifying and addressing various myofunctional issues in children, such as:

• Prolonged bottle feeding or pacifier use
• Difficulty with nasal breathing
• Tongue ties
• Improper swallowing patterns
• Thumb or finger sucking habits
• Mouth breathing
• Open mouth posture
• Snoring
• Tongue thrusts
• Teeth grinding

At the dental gallery, our specialised dental clinic located in Melbourne, we have been providing Myofunctional therapy since 2015 and is in keeping with international Orofacial Myology practices. 

Objectives of Myofunctional Orofacial Therapy

The primary goals of this therapy extend beyond achieving a straight smile. They include:

1. Encouraging proper nasal breathing
2. Ensuring the lips are naturally closed at rest
3. Maintaining the correct position for the tongue
4. Preventing overuse of the lower lip muscles during swallowing
5. Creating a foundation for any future orthodontic work
6. Reducing the chance of needing extractions for overcrowding. However, braces might still be needed.

What Does Myofunctional Orofacial Therapy Involve?

This therapy typically includes:

• Evaluating the oral anatomy with imaging like a Cone Beam CT Scan and/or referral to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist for further assessment
• Identifying the root causes of incorrect muscle patterns
• Engaging in orofacial myology exercises to retrain the muscles
• Addressing habits like thumb sucking or pacifier use in infants
• Using myofunctional appliances helps improve muscle balance, create a good lip seal, encourage breathing through the nose, and keep the tongue in the right position on the roof of the mouth.

The Right Time to Begin Myofunctional Orofacial Therapy

Early intervention is often the most effective way to correct abnormal muscle patterns. Treatment during the early stages of dental development, when baby teeth are still present, is usually faster, simpler, and less invasive. Waiting too long for treatment can lead to more complicated orthodontic problems. These problems might need braces, tooth extractions, or even jaw surgery.

Myofunctional therapy may be not appropriate on it owns in older children  who have a narrow palate, as they will not have adequate space in their mouth to accommodate the tongue. In these children – myofunctional therapy is best done in conjunction with orthopaedic jaw expansion therapy.

We provide myofunctional evaluation and therapy for children from around the ages 4 and up, to adults. 

How does Myofunctional Therapy help with Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea?

Myofunctional therapy helps establish nasal breathing with the tongue lightly sealed to the palate and the lips closed at rest. This supports smoother airflow and breathing.

It also helps improve the coordination and tone of the tongue and other upper airway muscles, allowing them to better prevent collapse of the upper airway during sleep. Studies have shown that myofunctional therapy is effective in reducing snoring and treating sleep apnoea. In both children and adults, we use myofunctional therapy as an adjunct to other treatments for snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. 

It is particularly promising in children because good muscle function provides the proper stimulus for the jaws to grow wide and forward. This is associated with improved nasal passages, increased tongue space, and better support for the collapsible upper airway or throat.

Myofunctional therapy, along with restoring normal closed-mouth breathing and tongue-to-palate suction, is important for developing healthy airways and slowing the progression of airway problems from childhood into adulthood.

If you’re looking for an orofacial myofunctional therapist or dentist in Bentleigh East or Bayside Melbourne, book an appointment with us. We’ll provide an expert evaluation and create a personalised treatment plan for your child.