Myofunctional Therapy is probably best defined as treatment to train the muscles of the face and oropharyngeal area to function properly. More simply it consists of a series of exercises performed repeatedly over many months which helps people (particularly children) adopt proper rest oral posture. Proper rest oral posture is defined as having the teeth lightly together or slightly apart, the tongue tip touching the palate behind the upper front teeth with the back of the tongue firmly on the hard palate (not between the back teeth), and lips together without strain. 100% nasal breathing night and day is part of this picture.
Many children today posture their mouths open, their tongues between their back teeth, and/or breathe through their mouth. This affects not only our immune system which works best with nasal breathing, but can alter proper forward facial growth. Lack of proper forward facial growth can easily reduce the airway and contribute to sleep disordered breathing with OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) possibly resulting.
In the U.S. Myofunctional Therapists are either Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH’s) or Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP’s). They work with patients of all ages to improve rest oral posture.
Myofunctional Therapy can tone the muscles of the oropharyngeal area which may keep them from collapsing during sleep and obstructing the airway. Myofunctional therapy in this context is often accompanied by specific orthodontic treatment and, in some cases, surgical treatments to address OSA. The late Dr. Christian Guilleminault was the best-known name internationally in the sleep arena and stated that nasal breathing 100% of the time is the end goal for any long term solution for sleep disordered breathing. Without establishing proper rest oral posture there is no stability and the problem may well return.
