What is Myofunctional Therapy?

🦷 Myofunctional Therapy and Clear Aligners: Build a Strong, Stable Smile

While orthodontics often focuses on teeth, the muscles around your mouth—tongue, lips, and cheeks—play a critical role in oral health and aligner results. Myofunctional therapy teaches these muscles to function properly, helping aligners achieve optimal results and maintain a long-lasting smile.

For patients in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, this therapy is becoming an essential part of modern clear aligner programs.

✨ What is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy is a set of targeted exercises that strengthen and retrain the muscles of the tongue, lips, cheeks, and jaw. Proper muscle function supports:

• ✔ Correct swallowing and tongue posture
• ✔ Nasal breathing over mouth breathing
• ✔ Lip seal and jaw stability
• ✔ Speech clarity and efficient chewing

An orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) occurs when these muscles don’t function correctly. Common causes include:

• Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use in childhood
• Tongue thrust (pushing tongue against teeth during swallowing)
• Chronic mouth breathing due to allergies or nasal obstruction
• Low tongue posture or improper swallowing habits

Left unaddressed, these issues can shift teeth, affect jaw development, and compromise aligner results.

⏰ Why Myofunctional Therapy Matters for Aligners

Clear aligners gently guide teeth into proper alignment. However, oral habits like tongue thrust or low tongue posture can push teeth out of alignment. Myofunctional therapy addresses these habits by:

• ❤️ Correcting tongue thrust to prevent unwanted pressure on front teeth
• 🩸 Encouraging nasal breathing to support proper tongue posture
• 😁 Improving lip seal and jaw stability for a balanced bite
• 🌟 Supporting long-term retention by reinforcing healthy oral habits

Patients often report improved aligner comfort, faster progress, and reduced relapse risk when combining therapy with aligner treatment.

🛠 Techniques Used in Myofunctional Therapy

Therapists—such as speech-language pathologists or dental professionals—create customized exercise programs, including:

• 👅 Tongue Exercises: Strengthen the tongue and teach proper resting posture against the roof of the mouth.
• 🌬 Breathing Exercises: Promote nasal breathing for optimal airflow and jaw growth.
• 🗣 Oral Motor Exercises: Improve coordination of lips, cheeks, and jaw for proper chewing and speaking.
• 💧 Swallowing Retraining: Learn to swallow without pushing the tongue against teeth, reducing relapse risk.

These exercises enhance tongue posture, support aligner results, improve speech, and encourage facial symmetry.

💭 Who Can Benefit and How to Start

Both children and adults can benefit. Early intervention supports healthy jaw and teeth development in children, while adults can pair therapy with aligners to maintain long-term results.

Programs are simple: short daily exercises at home, paired with virtual or in-office guidance. Many therapists in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia offer telehealth sessions to make treatment convenient.

❓ FAQs — Myofunctional Therapy & Aligners

• ❓ Q1: How long until I notice results? Some improvements appear within weeks, but full programs typically take 3–6 months.
• ❓ Q2: Is it suitable for children? Yes. Early intervention prevents misalignment and supports smooth orthodontic treatment.
• ❓ Q3: Can it be done virtually? Many therapists provide online sessions combined with daily at-home exercises.
• ❓ Q4: Are there side effects? Mild tongue or lip fatigue may occur initially, similar to starting a new workout.
• ❓ Q5: Does it replace aligners? No. It complements aligner treatment by supporting proper oral muscle function.
• ❓ Q6: Is it covered by insurance? Coverage varies. Check with your provider; it may fall under dental or speech therapy benefits.

💬 Final Thoughts

Myofunctional therapy works alongside clear aligners to train oral muscles, reduce relapse risk, and improve overall oral health. A lasting smile is not just about teeth—it’s the muscles that support them daily. 

📚 References

• Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy – Overview
• NCBI – Myofunctional Therapy & Orthodontics
• American Association of Orthodontists – Tongue Thrust Info
• ASHA – Oral Habits & Therapy