With vast experience in the field of dentistry, Dr. Concepcion Sanchez-Garcia and Dr. Raul Garcia from Miami Designer Smiles extensively use Myofunctional Therapy as a transformative tool to improve speech among their patients. When muscles related to speech and swallowing are corrected, it leads to significant improvements in overall communication.
Understanding Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)
A proper understanding of the concept of OMDs lays the foundation for understanding the role of myofunctional therapy. OMDs affect the muscles of the mouth and face, leading to difficulties in crucial functions such as breathing, eating, and speaking. Studies indicate that about 38 percent of the general population, and a staggering 81 percent of children facing speech or articulation issues, suffer from OMDs.
Impact of OMDs on Regular Life
OMDs pose a grave challenge to oral and facial health. If left unchecked, these conditions may lead to:
- Distorted growth of face and skeletal structure
- Misalignment of the bite
- Unusual jaw joint movement
- Compromised facial aesthetics
- Challenges with oral hygiene
- Obstacles in achieving successful outcomes from orthodontic treatments
Sources of OMDs vary greatly and include factors such as thumb sucking, finger sucking, improper resting posture of the tongue, lips resting in a separated state, and having limited space within the mouth for optimal activity of the tongue.
Myofunctional Therapy as a Solution
Myofunctional therapy emerges as a powerful method to address and resolve OMDs, thereby alleviating their impact on speech. This non-invasive, pain-free therapy relies on exercises that target specific muscles of the mouth and face.
Advantages of Myofunctional Therapy
- Improvement in speech and swallowing capabilities
- Aiding oral rest posture
- Enhancement of facial and dental aesthetics
- Mitigating sleep disorders
Nuts and Bolts of Myofunctional Therapy
Engaging with myofunctional therapy typically entails a sequence of structured activities. With dedicated 10-15 minutes of therapy every day, noticeable changes start emerging in about six months. This progressive therapy is generally divided into three phases.
The Initialization Phase
In this phase, patients get acquainted with essential exercises which lay the groundwork for the therapy. The eventual goal is enabling a closed-lip, nasal-breathing rest posture.
The Habituation Phase
Here, the focus shifts towards the habitual practice of exercises which reinforce the postures and learnings of the initialization phase. Eventually, these exercises become second nature to the patients.
The Finalization Phase
This conclusive phase is about maintaining the correct postures, applying the learnings in daily life, and reinforcing the habit-forming nature of the therapy.
Real-life Impact of Myofunctional Therapy at Miami Designer Smiles
Dr. Concepcion Sanchez-Garcia and Dr. Raul Garcia from Miami Designer Smiles have utilized myofunctional therapy to instigate pronounced improvements in language fluency among their patients, thus providing a practical and actionable solution to speech problems.
Every person has a unique oral structure and conditions, making it crucial for a personalized approach in myofunctional therapy. At Miami Designer Smiles, each treatment is customized, ensuring maximum efficacy and convenience for the patient.
In summary, Myofunctional Therapy stands as a persuasive solution to rectify speech issues by addressing their root causes. With professional guidance, discipline, and persistence, it holds substantial promise for enhancing the quality of life.