A Dana Point, CA dentist, explains the science, cost, and benefits of myofunctional therapy

Myofunctional therapy is a non-invasive way to improve many different conditions that can arise from improperly functioning oral structures, such as the facial muscles and tongue. Patients in the Dana Point, CA area, can benefit from this exciting type of therapy with the guidance of experienced dentist Dr. Mark A. Cruz.

The science of myofunctional therapy

“Myofunctional therapy” may sound like a complicated term, but at its core, it is similar to physical therapy for your oral structures. Myofunctional therapy is used to fine-tune how the tongue and oral-facial muscles function to improve their strength, which can, in turn, resolve airway issues, eating problems, speech issues, and other oral-motor problems. Dr. Morrissey performs an in-depth clinical evaluation and takes scientific measurements of the oral structures to help guide the development of an effective myofunctional treatment plan for you or your child. In this evaluation, Dr. Morrissey measures the strength of various oral muscles, observes the patient’s facial posture and symmetry, and watches how they eat, drink, breathe, and speak. These baseline measurements are then used later in your therapy to evaluate your progress.

Benefits of myofunctional therapy

Myofunctional therapy is an incredibly versatile treatment that can be used to provide relief from a variety of conditions, including:

• Sleep apnea and other types of sleep-disordered breathing
• Maxillofacial development problems
• Obstructions in the nasal cavities
• Grinding and clenching teeth
• Bite issues
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
• Chronic headaches and neck pain
• Heartburn and GERD

Even better, myofunctional therapy does not require the use of medications, is non-invasive, and carries no risk to patients.

Myofunctional therapy is lower in cost than many other treatments designed to address the same problems, such as orthodontics. Dr. Cruz will work with you to determine the extent of the needed treatment and its corresponding cost.

Questions about myofunctional therapy?

Myofunctional therapy can be a powerful approach for resolving a variety of airway and oral motor issues. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Mark Cruz and learn more about myofunctional therapy, call our Dana Point, CA office today at (949) 661-1006.