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MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY

MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY

A balanced face, a balanced bite, a balanced life!

At Centre for TMJ Pain (TMD) & Sleep Disorder Solutions by Dr. Glenn Yanagi, we are passionate about helping patients of all ages achieve optimal oral function and naturally beautiful faces. We understand that you may not be familiar with the term “orofacial myofunctional disorders” (OMDs), but these conditions can have significant implications for your health and well-being. Suffering from OMDs can lead to serious concerns, and we are here to help.

Our mission is to prevent and minimize craniomandibular dysfunctions, which can be life-changing for patients. We believe that the musculature of your head and neck must work in perfect harmony for ideal functionality. Improper force distribution during early childhood growth and development can have lasting effects on your ability to breathe, swallow, chew, and speak. Additionally, the improper function can dramatically change your facial appearance, affecting your smile, cheeks, chin, jawline, and neck profile.

We want to assure you that OMDs can be fixed, and many of the negative effects can be reversed in both children and adults. We understand the underlying causes and have the expertise to provide effective treatment, addressing the root of the conditions and helping you reach your full potential in terms of health and aesthetics.
Here are some examples of orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs):

  • Abnormal thumb, finger, lip, and tongue-sucking habits
  • Poor lip seal or open resting lip posture
  • Tongue-tie or tongue thrust
  • Difficulty breastfeeding due to the inability of newborns to latch
  • Mouth breathing

Our myofunctional dental therapy offers numerous benefits, including:

  • Aiding in craniofacial development
  • Restoring proper nasal breathing for health and longevity
  • Ensuring proper tongue swallowing and chewing
  • Creating and restoring a balanced smile
  • Stimulating bone remodeling
  • Eliminating oral habits (e.g., nail-biting, thumb sucking, lip licking)
  • Reducing risk factors for sleep apnea
  • Reducing the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) for patients with sleep apnea, lowering the apnea score
  • Preventing orthodontic relapse without the need for retainers.
 

Our goals in treating Myofunctional Therapy are to:

  • Identify and address the underlying root cause of parafunctional habits such as clenching, grinding, tongue thrust, and mouth breathing
  • Improve overall dental health by reducing risk factors for cavities and gum infection
  • Reduce the AHI (apnea-hypopnea index) in patients with sleep apnea. Myofunctional Therapy has been shown to reduce AHI by up to 50% in adults and over 60% in children, making it a powerful standalone therapy for mild apnea and a valuable tool in combination with Mandibular Advancement Devices (Sleep Device) for moderate apnea
  • Reduce head, neck, and shoulder pain
  • Support proper growth and development in children
  • Safely manage tongue-tie releases without increasing the risk of sleep-breathing disorders
  • Improve newborn latch and support healthy breastfeeding habits

At the Centre for TMJ Pain (TMD) & Sleep Disorder Solutions, by Glenn Yanagi, DDS, we provide comprehensive care and expertise in orofacial myofunctional disorders. Your health and well-being are our top priorities. Please reach out to us today to schedule an appointment and start your journey toward optimal oral function and naturally beautiful faces.