Orofacial Myology Therapy – Franklin, TN
Tongue Thrust Therapies for Healthy, Pain-Free Smiles
What is Orofacial Myology Therapy?
Orofacial myology therapy, typically referred to simply as OMT, is treatment geared toward teaching the oral and facial structures to rest in the proper position to avoid muscle and joint strain, dental damage, breathing issues, and other conditions. Proper rest posture is described as a closed mouth, tongue resting on the palate (top of the mouth), slightly separated molars (back teeth), and nasal breathing. Any deviation from this ideal rest posture can lead to health concerns. For instance, a patient who clenches teeth together all day long rather than allowing them to remain apart may struggle with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction due to excessive strain placed on these joints that connect the jaw to the skull bone. Patients whose tongues rest forward against the teeth or between them can exacerbate orthodontic alignment concerns like over, under, and crossbite. In the past, medical and dental professionals have focused treatment on just tackling one symptom at a time, but when the underlying cause isn’t addressed, patients are much more likely to relapse and experience further concerns. That’s where OMT comes in. These therapies address the underlying causes of the concern and help patients learn to keep a proper resting position. A number of different oral health and developmental concerns may lead to a need for OMT, including:
- Thumb, pacifier, or bottle usage past the age of 5
-
Severe open, over, under, or crossbite &
other tooth alignment issues - Tongue thrusting too far forward
- Mouth breathing and sleep disordered breathing
- Impeded or unclear speech
-
Lip or tongue tie training the mouth
to rest improperly
What are the Warning Signs?
Tongue thrust
Teeth grinding & clenching
Speech problems
Mouth breathing
Sleep disordered breathing
What Happens During OMT?
Jamie
Myofunctional Therapist
Get to Know Jamie
Dental Hygienist/Myofunctional Therapist
Jamie joined our dental office in 2021, and she has nearly 30 years of dental experience overall! She loves everything about being a hygienist—seeing people smile after a cleaning, enjoying that fresh feeling, plus she likes watching kids show off their shining teeth to mom and dad. She graduated from the Northeast Community College Dental Hygiene School and has training in laser dentistry. Jamie and her husband Jamie (yes, they have the same name!) have a son and daughter, and she likes to relax by doing crafts with friends or having a glass of wine while watching her favorite show, Chicago P.D.
Common Misconceptions About OMT
Many patients believe OMT is just therapy for patients with tongue thrust. This is not the case. The treatments will help patients with tongue thrust, but this is just a symptom of a bigger problem, so the goal of OMT is address the underlying causes of these disorders rather than simply helping patients stop thrusting their tongues while swallowing, chewing, speaking, or at rest. Additionally, many people think that only kids need to receive OMT. While the majority of patients who receive OMT are young, adults may also benefit from these treatments to improve clarity of speech, restore healthy dental function, increase the benefits of sleep apnea therapy, & more.
Finally, many people consider OMT to be unnecessary. If a child naturally develops in a different way, why should we force them to change? In most cases, we agree with you. We want kids to be themselves! However, when patients in need of OMT don’t receive the care they need, the results can be detrimental to oral and overall health, increasing risk for orthodontic alignment issues, tooth decay, TMJ dysfunction, sleep apnea, and speech impediment among other concerns. If you or your child need OMT, let our team help you develop healthy, natural function that looks and feels great for years to come.
