Focuses on tongue function and oral posture that may be compensated due to bottle feeding, sippy cups, mouth breathing, thumb/finger sucking, tongue ties (ankyloglossia), etc. This all results in an increased risk for deficient craniofacial growth and development and often is the root cause of dental crowding later in life and, more importantly, breathing and sleep problems. Myofunctional therapy helps to re-pattern the function of the tongue to optimize oral posture, proper swallowing while eating, dilate the airway and foster optimal growth and development. That is best guided by a licensed sleep & language pathologist, physical therapist, or myofunctional/occupational therapist trained explicitly in myofunctional therapy.
Myobrace, Healthy Start, and other branded approaches are excellent adjuncts but not necessarily a substitute for a well-trained therapist.

Case Studies Coming Soon!

Dr. Mark A Cruz

Mark A Cruz graduated from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 1986 and started a dental practice in Monarch Beach, CA upon graduation. He has lectured nationally and internationally and is a member of various dental organizations. He was a part-time lecturer at UCLA and a member of the faculty group practice and was past assistant director of the UCLA Center for Esthetic Dentistry. He has served on the National Institute of Health/NIDCR (National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research) Grant review Committee in Washington D.C. as well as on the editorial board for the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice (Elsevier) and is currently serving on the DSMB (data safety management board) for the NPBRN (national practice-based research network.