Myofunctional Therapy in Walnut Creek, CA
Ready to get started?
Contact UsWhat Is Myofunctional Therapy?
Orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) can affect the lip, jaw, or tongue position. This disorder alters the way the cheeks, teeth, lips, and jaw function when speaking or eating, along with how they sit when in a resting position. Life Dental & Orthodontics values myofunctional therapy as an effective way to improve the quality of life in Walnut Creek, CA patients suffering from OMD. Each therapy session consists of a set of exercises that have been carefully selected to address your particular OMD needs. To find out if myofunctional therapy could benefit you, schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience.
Is someone you love a mouth breather? Having the lips constantly apart is not only detrimental for your health, but it also can lead to more vertical growth of the face, with narrow, crowded dental arches. Habits such as mouth breathing, thumb sucking, and poor oral rest posture can be addressed with myofunctional therapy. Think of your myofunctional therapist as a personal trainer for your tongue and the muscles of your face!
How Is Myofunctional Therapy Performed?
We will facilitate the connection of our patients with specialized healthcare professionals who employ the latest therapeutic techniques and cutting-edge technology for the treatment of OMD and its associated conditions, such as mouth breathing and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Each session will comprise a series of exercises to rewire the neural pathways and improve facial and tongue muscle functions. Some exercises may include:
- Create nasal breathing patterns
- Normalize the resting position of your lips and tongue
- Breaking harmful habits, such as thumb-sucking
What are the Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy focuses on retraining the muscles of the mouth, tongue, face, and airway to improve breathing patterns, oral posture, swallowing mechanics, speech habits, and overall oral function. This highly personalized therapy approach can benefit both children and adults dealing with tongue thrust, mouth breathing, airway concerns, orthodontic relapse, and related issues. Some of the most valuable benefits associated with myofunctional therapy include:
- Improved nasal breathing
- Better tongue posture
- Healthier swallowing patterns
- Reduced mouth breathing
- Orthodontic treatment support
- Improved sleep quality
- Enhanced oral function
- Long-term habit correction
Because therapy addresses muscle patterns and function directly, it may help support more stable long-term outcomes alongside orthodontic or airway-focused treatment.
Life Dental & Orthodontics Reviews
Dr. Hockel and his team have totally changed my paradigm of what dental care can be. They have earned my trust in so many ways, and I am happy to be under their care.
So glad to be working with LD&O. World class facility. Friendly staff. Top notch technologies. Great communications. Innovative approach. Cutting edge thinking. Thank you.
Absolutely love this place! Friendly and accommodating staff and I really appreciate Dr Hockel’s knowledge of what’s going on with not only my teeth, but how it all works together with my airway and everything else too!
The place is immaculate the people are a pleasure to deal with and all seem very knowledgeable I can’t say enough good things about it and I’m thrilled that I finally discovered this place
Very friendly and professional. Dr. listened carefully, and explained things well. Would recommend.
340
Total Reviews
4.9
Average Rating
Get In Touch
Improve Your Quality of Life
Oral myofunctional therapy can benefit individuals in the Walnut Creek, CA community dealing with conditions such as TMJ disorder and Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD). We prioritize connecting patients with experienced specialists who excel in addressing airway and orofacial conditions. To explore the possibilities of myofunctional therapy, please reach out to our team at Life Dental & Orthodontics.
Myofunctional Therapy FAQs
Is myofunctional therapy covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for myofunctional therapy can vary depending on your plan and the specific services provided. While some insurance policies may cover myofunctional therapy as part of orthodontic care, it's best to check with your insurance provider or our team to confirm what's covered under your plan.
How long does it take to get results with myofunctional therapy?
The time it takes to see results with myofunctional therapy depends on the specific issues being addressed and how consistently the exercises are done. Many patients begin to notice improvements within a few weeks, but achieving full results may take a few months of consistent practice.
How do I know if I need myofunctional therapy?
Myofunctional therapy may be recommended if you experience issues such as mouth breathing, improper tongue posture, difficulty swallowing, or problems with your bite. Our team will assess your specific symptoms and work with you to determine if myofunctional therapy is right for your orthodontic treatment plan.