Oral Myofunctional Therapy in Reading, PA
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Contact UsWhat Is Oral Myofunctional Therapy?
If you suffer from an abnormal lip, jaw, or tongue position, you may have an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD). This alters the way the lips, cheeks, teeth, and jaws move during speaking and eating, as well as how they sit when they are at rest. At The Sleep Apnea and Craniofacial Pain Center of Pennsylvania, we treat OMDs with oral myofunctional therapy (OMT). OMT includes a set of exercises that are customized to help your facial muscles function properly. This therapy can make it easier to swallow, eat, speak, and maintain your oral health. For more information on oral myofunctional therapy, contact sleep and TMJ specialist Dr. Stephen Sulzbach to schedule an appointment at our Reading, PA office.
What Is the Benefit of Oral Myofunctional Therapy?
There are a variety of benefits when you have oral myofunctional therapy. A few benefits include:
- Easier to eat and speak
- Sleep more soundly and even treat sleep apnea
- Quick and simple to do while watching TV, in the car, and more
- Makes it easier to have clear aligners or braces
- Restored confidence
When Is Oral Myofunctional Therapy Needed?
OMD generally begins with mouth breathing. This creates dysfunction in the muscles of the face, leading to the disorder. Children may often develop OMD due to thumb or pacifier sucking and pushing their tongue against their teeth. Orofacial myofunctional disorders can cause issues when:
- Speaking
- Eating
- Swallowing
- Maintaining proper oral hygiene
While it can create difficulties doing the above, it can also alter the facial skeleton and development in younger patients, dental arch development, and exacerbate temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) and/or sleep apnea. If you notice that you or your child leave your mouth open (even when not breathing out of the mouth), breathe through the mouth more than the nose, or teeth are pushed out of place, it may be time to see Dr. Sulzbach and develop an oral myofunctional therapy plan.
The Sleep Apnea and Craniofacial Pain Center of Pennsylvania Reviews
Dr. Sulzbach helped me with my sleep apnea and snoring. My wife is so much happier now!
I have had the luck and the pleasure of seeing Dr. Salzbach on several occasions. An extremely knowledgeable and professional, who truly does care about his patients. He takes the time to explain options, procedures to you in a way that you've understand and is very up front. I would highly recommend anytime to anyone.
Dr. Sulzbach and Corrine Lambert were amazing in taking care of my sleep apnea needs. I can’t wait to see how much improvement there is with the new device.
I have sleep apnea and felt awful for years. Just constantly tired. I can't wear the cpap. I tried but I just hate the thing. Dr Steve made a dental appliance and I am sleeping through the night without even snoring for the first time in probably 20 years. He's really laid back but straight to the point.
I have been going to Dr. Steve for years. He is a competent and wonderful dentist. It is a shame what Harrisburg tried to do to him. I guess when they need a scape goat to further their agenda they don't care who they try to hurt in the process. Rest assured he is by far the best dentist I have ever gone to and goes beyond the standard of care!
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How Can Oral Myofunctional Therapy Help With TMD and Sleep Apnea?
If you're experiencing problems such as pain in your jaw, a clicking sound when opening and closing your mouth, or a locked jaw, these could all be signs of temporomandibular joint disorder. TMD is often the result of teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and other myofunctional disorders. In these instances, oral myofunctional therapy may help address symptoms and correct certain bad habits. With this therapy, you will learn how to rewire your brain and facial functions so your jaw, lips, teeth, and facial muscles work harmoniously. This can help reduce TMJ symptoms. Dr. Sulzbach is a known TMJ expert and can help you or your loved one find relief with oral myofunctional therapy.
If you experience sleep apnea, where you stop breathing during the night, oral myofunctional therapy may be able to help as well. Sleep apnea is often the result of tongue misplacement or jaw movement at night. The exercises employed with OMT can help address these issues so you can correct misplacement of the tongue or jaw while sleeping so you can breathe properly.
How Is Oral Myofunctional Therapy Performed?
Dr. Sulzbach uses state-of-the-art technology and the latest therapy methods to treat orofacial myofunctional disorders, TMD, and sleep apnea. These therapies include a number of different exercises that will help rewire the brain and correct tongue and facial muscle functions. During these exercise sessions, Dr. Sulzbach will help you retrain and improve your orofacial function. Some exercises may help you:
- Normalize the resting posture of your tongue and lips
- Establish nasal breathing patterns
- Quit thumb-sucking or other harmful habits
We will also help you understand what it means to swallow and breathe properly and have proper rest positions for your facial muscles.
Therapy sessions may happen in our Reading, PA office, as well as in your home on your own time. This exercise-based therapy typically lasts for around 12 weeks, with about 45 minutes of exercise a day. Depending on your particular needs, therapy sessions may last longer or shorter.
What Can Be Expected After Oral Myofunctional Therapy?
With the help of oral myofunctional therapy, our patients typically start to see improvements within a few months. It's our goal that with this therapy you will be able to rest your lips together, your tongue rest on the roof of your mouth, and you can easily breathe through your nose — all subconsciously. All of these can make it easier to eat, speak, and breath.
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About UsOral Myofunctional Therapy in Reading, PA
If you suffer from an orofacial myofunctional disorder, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, or sleep apnea, you may benefit from oral myofunctional therapy. Dr. Stephen Sulzbach is a renowned sleep and TMJ expert and helps countless adults and children in the Reading, Ephrata, and Reading, PA areas address these disorders so they can speak, eat, and sleep better. For more information on this customizable therapy, contact The Sleep Apnea and Craniofacial Pain Center of Pennsylvania today.
Oral Myofunctional Therapy FAQs
At what age should oral myofunctional therapy be performed?
The earlier oral myofuctional therapy starts, the fewer symptoms a person will likely have. Therefore, it can be started pretty much at any age. The best advice we can give you is to meet with an expert such as Dr. Sulzbach, who can give you an honest recommendation based on your or your child's needs.
How is oral myofucntional therapy performed for a person who has TMD?
If you or a loved one has temporomandibular disorder, Dr. Sulzbach will apply various techniques to create balance in your facial, neck, and mouth muscles. This therapy may eliminate TMD; however, any bad habits that are picked back up could create reoccurring issues.
What can I do at home between appointments?
We will likely give you a list of at-home exercises between appointments and after therapy is complete. Some of these exercises may include:
- Tongue slide
- Tongue stretch
- Nasal breathing
- Tongue clench
Can oral myofunctional therapy help with sleep apnea?
Oral myofuctional therapy is often known to improve sleep apnea symptoms. Since this therapy is designed to increase the strength in your upper airway muscles, which may help reduce the chances of your upper airway collapsing during sleep.
