Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Beaverlodge

At Dentistry on 43, we have a Certified Orofacial Myologist (the amazing Darcee) on our team who provides specialized therapy to retrain oral and facial muscles. No referrals, no driving to the city—comprehensive treatment is available right here in Beaverlodge.

What Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy focuses on the function of the muscles in your face, mouth, and throat. When these muscles don’t work properly—due to habits, structural issues like tongue or lip ties, or learned patterns—it can lead to problems with breathing, swallowing, speech, and dental alignment.

Our Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist uses targeted exercises and techniques to retrain these muscles, helping patients develop healthy patterns that support proper growth, clear speech, better sleep, and improved oral health.

Conditions We Treat

Orofacial myofunctional therapy can address:

• Tongue Thrust Pushing the tongue forward against or between teeth during swallowing or at rest. This can affect speech, cause open bites, and interfere with orthodontic treatment.
• Mouth Breathing Chronic mouth breathing instead of nasal breathing affects facial development, sleep quality, and increases risk of cavities and gum disease.
• Incorrect Swallowing Patterns Swallowing using facial and neck muscles instead of the tongue can impact dental alignment and facial structure.
• TMJ-Related Muscle Tension Muscle imbalances that contribute to jaw pain and TMJ disorders.
• Post-Frenectomy Rehabilitation After tongue tie or lip tie release, therapy ensures proper muscle function and prevents reattachment.
• Sleep-Disordered Breathing Myofunctional therapy can complement sleep apnea treatment by improving airway muscle tone and breathing patterns.

Who Benefits from Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?

1. Children: Early intervention helps guide proper facial and dental development. We often see children with persistent thumb-sucking habits, mouth breathing, or speech delays benefit significantly from therapy.
2. Teens and Adults: It’s never too late to address myofunctional issues. Adults seeking improved sleep, preparing for or completing orthodontic treatment like Invisalign, or dealing with persistent jaw tension can all benefit.
3. Patients with Tongue or Lip Ties: Therapy before and after tie release ensures the best functional outcomes and prevents complications.

Our Approach to Treatment

Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your oral and facial muscle function, breathing patterns, and any related concerns. Our Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist creates a personalized therapy plan that typically includes:

• Targeted exercises to strengthen and retrain oral muscles
• Breathing retraining techniques
• Habit elimination strategies
• Progress monitoring and adjustments
• Coordination with orthodontic or other treatments when needed

Sessions are typically scheduled weekly or bi-weekly, with practice exercises to complete at home. Most patients see improvements within a few months, though treatment length varies based on individual needs.