Myofunctional Therapy for Hygienists and Dentists

Myofunctional therapy (or myo) is rapidly emerging as one of the most exciting fields in modern medicine, and it presents a remarkable opportunity for dental hygienists and dentists alike.

This innovative treatment modality focuses on the relationship between oral function and overall health, emphasizing the importance of proper oral posture and muscle function.

For dental professionals, integrating myofunctional therapy into practice not only enhances patient care but also opens new avenues for treatment, including addressing snoring, sleep apnea, TMD, and clenching and grinding.

Dental hygienists can play a crucial role in improving their patients' quality of life by addressing issues such as tongue tie, mouth breathing, and improper swallowing patterns.

Dentists can expand their services by incorporating myofunctional therapy techniques into their practices, leading to more comprehensive care.

The approach that dental practices take in treating sleep apnea and other sleep-disordered breathing conditions has evolved, and the diagnosis and treatment of tongue-tie are now markedly different from just a few years ago.

Myofunctional therapy protocols play a crucial role in pre- and post-frenectomy support. Many dental offices now offer tongue-tie release surgery to assist their patients with sleep-disordered breathing and other health conditions that affect people of all ages.

In 2018, the American Dental Association published a policy statement regarding the Role of Dentistry in treating Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders.

The updated recommendations state that all dentists should screen patients for sleep-disordered breathing.

With an estimated 90 million Americans experiencing some form of sleep-disordered breathing, we are essentially facing an epidemic. Consequently, a significant increase in the number of patients receiving treatment is unavoidable.

Patients and professionals are becoming increasingly aware of the impacts of tongue-tie.

Children with tongue-tie often become adults suffering from sleep apnea, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome, and various sleep-disordered breathing symptoms. Additionally, these children are more likely to grow into adults with chronic head, neck, and shoulder pain, TMJ issues, and other health and dental problems.

More doctors performing the tongue-tie release procedure now emphasize that patients should engage in myofunctional therapy exercises, both before and after the procedure to achieve optimal long-term results.

Myofunctional therapy is also utilized to address periodontal disease, high caries risk, TMD, and health issues arising from a narrow airway. Furthermore, this therapy is essential for ensuring long-term stability in orthodontic results, preventing relapse. Most orthodontic cases typically involve patients with underlying myofunctional disorders.

For dental hygienists, myofunctional therapy presents a completely new career path that doesn’t require extensive retraining.

Myofunctional therapy can be conducted in a dental office or a private myofunctional practice and can be offered in person or virtually (or both). This flexibility makes it a highly versatile career option for hygienists, who can maintain their hygiene hours while developing their myofunctional practice or provide myofunctional therapy within their dental office.

Myofunctional therapy can generate a new revenue stream for dental practices, offering new avenues for patient care and giving dentists unique ways to differentiate their services.

As awareness of the importance of oral function and healthy breathing grows among patients seeking more integrative healthcare solutions, those who adopt these techniques will stand out in a competitive market.

Investing time in understanding myo enhances your skill set and positions you as a forward-thinking practitioner committed to lifelong learning and patient-centered care.

In an era where interdisciplinary approaches are increasingly valued in healthcare, aligning with the principles of myofunctional therapy could transform your practice and your patients' lives for the better.

And there's no better way to learn myo than the MyoMentor way. We make myo easy - check out this page for more information on that.