At Dental Solutions of Columbus, we work hard to stay up to date with the latest advances in dental treatment and technology. This means that our team is constantly undergoing training on the best ways to treat our patients. We believe in treating the root cause of a problem, not just its symptoms. One of our newest additions to the practice is myofunctional therapy.
Why Myofunctional Therapy?
Without even realizing it, many of us have developed abnormal patterns of biting and chewing that can cause problems from headaches and neck pain to grinding and wear on teeth. Instead of only focusing on the wear on teeth as a result of grinding, for example, we address the reason you are grinding your teeth. When treating these issues, our office uses myofunctional therapy as part of our neuromuscular dentistry services.
How Does It Work?
Myofunctional therapy is the neurologic re-education or re-patterning of the oral facial muscles using specific therapeutic techniques over a period of time. Basically, you will work to re-train your face and jaw muscles so they function correctly and efficiently. This helps with proper growth, development, and aesthetics.
For example, each time you swallow, muscles in your face, mouth, and throat must act in harmony. When someone swallows normally, the tip of the tongue should press firmly against the roof of the mouth, where the hard palate absorbs the force. We swallow anywhere from 500 to 1000 times each day, so improper swallowing can have a huge effect. Additionally, the resting position of the tongue and your jaw posture are extremely important. This muscle alignment and relation affects everything from chewing and swallowing to talking, so it’s essential that your muscles are properly aligned.
Restoring Proper Function
Myofunctional therapy helps your brain and muscles re-learn how to function optimally. Our office is proud to offer a combination of myofunctional therapy, muscle stimulation (through Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation), and even custom orthotic appliances to correct issues with your bite and swallowing. Neuromuscular dentistry is a progressive area of dentistry, and Dr. Sitaram has dedicated himself through intensive training. You can rest assured that our team is highly trained to provide the best care possible.
Call our office to learn more about myofunctional therapy, or ask about it at your next appointment. Contact Dental Solutions of Columbus today to schedule an appointment.