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Myofunctional Therapy with Strobel Dentistry
At Strobel Dentistry in Chicago, we understand that maintaining optimal oral health sometimes requires more than traditional dental care. That's why we offer a specialized service known as myofunctional therapy.
Myofunctional therapy addresses orofacial dysfunctions, which can affect the muscles and bones in your face and mouth, leading to difficulties with eating, swallowing, and breathing. This condition can affect adults and children, but significant improvements can be made with the right therapy. If you're experiencing any of these challenges, we encourage you to explore the benefits of oral myofunctional therapy in Chicago at Strobel Dentistry. Our dedicated team is committed to helping you achieve optimal oral function and enhance your daily life.
More Than Aesthetics
What is Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional Therapy focuses on assessing and treating improper oral muscle function, which can contribute to sleep apnea, tongue thrusting, and misaligned bites.
Through a series of exercises and techniques, this therapy aims to retrain and strengthen the muscles involved in breathing, swallowing, and chewing. By correcting these muscle imbalances, Myofunctional Therapy helps improve overall oral function and can have positive effects on facial aesthetics and speech patterns.
Optimal Function
What are the benefits of Myofunctional Therapy?
Improved Breathing: Myofunctional Therapy can help individuals with breathing difficulties, such as sleep apnea or chronic mouth breathing. Strengthening the muscles for proper nasal breathing promotes healthy airflow and reduces the risk of related complications that can lead to obstructive sleep apnea. Improved breathing can also help with asthma, allergies, and even anxiety.
Correcting Tongue Thrusting: Tongue thrusting, where the tongue pushes against or between the teeth during swallowing, can lead to malocclusion and orthodontic problems. Myofunctional Therapy addresses this issue by retraining the tongue to correct its resting posture, preventing dental misalignment.
Reducing Pain: Myofunctional Therapy reduces chronic pain in the jaw, neck, face, and back by helping individuals relax their over-utilized muscles that cause headaches, soreness, fatigue, and pain, including reducing the habit of clenching and grinding.
Enhancing Facial Aesthetics: By promoting proper oral muscle function, Myofunctional Therapy can contribute to improved facial symmetry and harmony. It can help correct issues such as open bites, overbites, or underbites, resulting in a more balanced and attractive smile.
Speech Improvement: Certain speech disorders, such as lisping or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, can be associated with improper oral muscle function. Myofunctional Therapy can help strengthen the muscles involved in speech production, leading to clearer and more confident communication.
A Personalized Roadmap to Recovery
Your Myofunctional Therapy Consultation
During your consultation at Strobel Dentistry in Chicago Myofunctional Therapy assessments are conducted by our certified Myofunctional Therapist, Leslie, who will evaluate your oral and facial muscle function. We will discuss your concerns, medical history, and goals to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. We will identify underlying issues through advanced diagnostic tools and expertise and create a roadmap for your therapy journey.
Clear Instructions and Continuous Support
Your Myofunctional Therapy Procedure
Once your Myofunctional Therapy treatment plan is established, Leslie will guide you through a series of exercises and techniques to address your specific muscle dysfunctions.
These exercises focus on tongue posture, swallowing patterns, and breathing techniques. Our experienced therapists will provide clear instructions and continuous support to ensure you feel confident and motivated throughout the process.
A Balanced Smile
Myofunctional Therapy Recovery and Aftercare
After completing your Myofunctional Therapy sessions, it is essential to maintain good oral habits and continue practicing the exercises you have learned. Leslie will provide you with comprehensive aftercare instructions and ongoing support to ensure long-lasting results.
Regular check-ups and follow-up visits will allow us to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. By incorporating Myofunctional Therapy into your oral health routine, you can achieve improved oral function and a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile. At Strobel Dentistry, we are committed to helping you achieve optimal oral health and overall well-being through personalized and effective Myofunctional Therapy.
Reviews
“The process to get a sleep appliance could not have been more painless! The sleep test itself is surprisingly comfortable, and the results come back pretty quickly. Dr. Isabella and Mark do a wonderful job of explaining your sleep report and offering treatment recommendations. The appliance itself fits well and doesn’t feel too bulky or irritating. Overall I could not have been happier with the service!”
- J.P.
“I am so grateful for Dr. Isabella and her team!
Because of her guidance and expertise, I have seen a dramatic improvement in my sleep apnea over the past year: from AHI of 30 qualifying as moderate/severe down to AHI less than 2 which qualifies as no sleep apnea!
Additional Reading
She recommended a combination of approaches including tongue tie revision, myofunctional therapy, and a custom-made oral appliance to wear while sleeping (a major improvement from CPAP) and helped me understand why each was important and how they work together.
None of my prior dentists had educated me on tongue positioning and how my tongue tie could affect my breathing and sleep, and I was delighted and comforted by the depth of knowledge and comprehensive approach that she led me through. Dr. Isabella is thorough and knowledgeable, but most importantly kind and approachable.”
- K.T.
“I've been going to Strobel Dentistry for 20 years. The staff is phenomenal. Recently, they helped me address my sleep apnea with a sleep appliance and breath coaching. It seems to have a solved my issues. Highly recommend.”
- M.D.
“I’ve been a client of Strobel Dentistry for nearly 25 years. During a routine checkup about a year ago I was asked if I’d ever completed a sleep study. I was aware (and had been told by others) that I snored during sleep and I knew that I should have a sleep evaluation done but the thought of going to a sleep facility with all that entails felt overwhelming and unpleasant, so I avoided it. Strobel Dentistry offered a machine that I could use at home that would monitor my sleep and breathing pattern so I readily agreed to it… and I’m so glad I did! ...”
- K.L.
“Myotherapy sessions with Leslie were very informative, effective and professional; yet had a personal approach. Leslie helped me to add extremely useful tools/exercises to my everyday routine that helped eliminate soft tissue tension, misalignment and TMJ pain. I truly believe the Myotheraphy should be part of any oral hygiene education. Thank you Leslie. You rock!”
- K.R.
“I wanted to thank Strobel Dentistry for helping me get a sleep appliance to treat my sleep apnea. Now I feel energized in the morning and my wife says I don't even snore anymore! Dr. Isabella and Mark made sure the whole process went smoothly and answered all of my questions. I truly cannot thank them enough! ”
- K.O.
“Dr. Isabella and Mark were amazing!”
- L.M.
Myofunctional Therapy Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Myofunctional Therapy can be beneficial for children. It can help address issues and eliminate habits such as tongue thrusting, teeth grinding, improper swallowing patterns, thumb sucking, and mouth breathing, which can impact their dental and facial development. Early intervention with Myofunctional Therapy can contribute to improved oral function and prevent future complications.
The duration of Myofunctional Therapy treatment varies depending on the individual's specific needs and goals. On average, treatment can range from a few months to a year. Consistency and regular practice of the prescribed exercises are key factors in achieving optimal results within the expected timeframe.
Yes, Myofunctional Therapy can benefit individuals with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Addressing muscle imbalances and promoting proper oral function can help alleviate symptoms associated with TMJ disorders, such as jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, and limited jaw movement. However, the treatment approach may vary depending on the underlying causes and severity of the TMJ condition.
Myofunctional Therapy focuses on correcting improper oral muscle function, which can contribute to orthodontic issues. While it can help in certain cases, it does not replace orthodontic treatment in all situations. It is best to consult with both a Myofunctional Therapist and orthodontist to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your specific needs.
Myofunctional Therapy will help improve muscle elasticity of the throat and tongue; retraining and relaxing the proper muscles can improve obstructive sleep and snoring.
You would need to devote ten minutes, two times a day typically to achieve optimal results. It takes about six months to gain muscle memory and with our 12 session program and commitment on the patient's part.
About one time every two weeks and it can be done in person or via Zoom. The sessions last about one hour.
A willingness to change old habits and create new ones, During your initial consult you will be given a MYO kit that will encompass all of the supplies needed to be successful. To schedule a consultation for Myofunctional Therapy Chicago patients can contact us using our phone number or call the office directly.
Find the Answers
Start your journey with Strobel Dentistry in Chicago
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