Myo & Braces: Timing Your Perfect Fit!

Myofunctional therapy can be beneficial at different stages of orthodontic treatment, but it tends to work best when incorporated during the treatment process.

Here’s a breakdown:

1. Before Treatment (Pre-Orthodontic Phase): Myofunctional therapy can help correct any bad oral habits (like thumb sucking or mouth breathing) and improve the muscle function of the mouth and face. This can make orthodontic treatment more effective and efficient, as it prepares the muscles and soft tissues to support the changes that braces or Invisalign will bring.

2. During Treatment: This is often the most beneficial phase. Myofunctional therapy can complement braces or Invisalign by helping the muscles work in harmony with the alignment of the teeth. This can help improve tongue posture, breathing, and swallowing patterns, which can prevent relapse after the braces come off and may even speed up tooth movement.

If you or your child has a rapid palate expander, it is best to post-pone myofunctional therapy sessions until that is complete. There will be no room for the tongue to live on the roof of your mouth if the appliance is there.

3. After Treatment (Retention Phase): While it can be helpful to maintain the results from braces or Invisalign by continuing myofunctional exercises, the therapy’s main impact is typically during the treatment itself. It can help ensure the teeth stay in their new positions, support proper function, and reduce the likelihood of relapse. If habits such as mouth breathing or tongue thrusting aren't addressed, you can guarantee that movement or shifting will happen!