Alberta Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional Therapy improves facial development and growth and oral function by strengthing and training orofacial muscles.

What is Orofacial Myology?

Myofunctional therapy is the treatment of the orofacial musculature to improve muscle tonicity. Therapy includes exercises and neuromuscular re-education of the oral and facial muscles, promoting positive growth patterns and elimination of noxious oral habits. An individualized regimen of facial exercises are used to correct tongue and lip resting posture as well as to develop correct chewing and swallowing patterns and promote nasal breathing.

The practice of orofacial myology includes the evaluation and treatment of:
- Detrimental orofacial habits such as thumb and digit sucking
- Posturing problems related to the lips, tongue, jaw and respiratory system
- Abnormal neuromuscular responses associated with inappropriate chewing and swallowing
- Detrimental breathing patterns
- Swallowing patterns which may be associated with malocclusions such as tongue thrust
- Facial and postural esthetics

The goals of orofacial myofunctional therapy are to establish correct resting postures of the tongue and lips and to create an environment where normal processes of growth and development can occur.