Myofunctional therapy is not limited to children. Adults can also ask about how their tongue, lips and facial muscles function during rest, swallowing and other activities. The important first step is understanding the concern and whether therapy is appropriate for it.
At Serenity Healthy Smiles, myofunctional therapy in Appleton is offered for children and adults. An adult consultation should help you understand the purpose of any proposed care and how it fits with your existing dental or medical treatment.
What brings adults in for an evaluation?
Some people have questions about tongue posture or swallowing patterns. Others have been encouraged by a dental provider to discuss oral habits. If you are seeking help because of snoring or sleep concerns, explain those symptoms clearly and ask whether you also need a medical sleep assessment.
Write down what you want to change before the appointment. A specific goal, such as understanding a swallowing concern, is easier to discuss than a broad expectation that therapy will change every aspect of your sleep or facial appearance.
Does myofunctional therapy work for adults?
The answer depends on what outcome is being considered. Research on myofunctional therapy for obstructive sleep apnea suggests potential benefits for some outcomes, but the certainty of evidence varies. It should not be presented as a guaranteed cure or as the right approach for every patient.
Ask the provider which finding therapy is intended to address, what evidence supports that recommendation and how progress will be measured. A plan should have a purpose you understand, rather than rely on promises about general wellness.
What should the first appointment cover?
Bring a list of your concerns, previous orthodontic treatment and any current dental or sleep appliances. If you have already had a sleep study, tell the provider and ask whether the results are relevant to the proposed care.
Useful questions include:
- What have you identified in my oral function?
- What would a recommended program involve?
- Who would guide the exercises and check progress?
- How much home practice would be expected?
- What fees and follow-up visits should I plan for?
Can exercises replace prescribed sleep apnea treatment?
Do not stop prescribed treatment because you are considering myofunctional therapy. Discuss changes with the clinician managing your sleep disorder. Ask how any additional therapy would be coordinated and how its effect would be assessed.
The same principle applies to dental appliances and orthodontic care: make sure each provider knows what you are using. One recommendation should not be interpreted as permission to discontinue another part of your care.
What does the evidence say about sleep outcomes?
A Cochrane review found that, compared with sham therapy, myofunctional therapy probably reduced daytime sleepiness in adults with obstructive sleep apnea. It found lower-certainty evidence for some other outcomes, including sleep quality and the apnea-hypopnea index. This supports a careful discussion of potential benefits and limitations, rather than a blanket promise.
Research results from a diagnosed study population do not predict your personal response. They also do not mean that every person who snores needs the same exercise program.
How is this different from choosing exercises online?
Ask how a program will be matched to the problem identified during your evaluation. You should know the starting goal, how to perform the prescribed activities and when to check in. Tracking a specific concern over time is more useful than judging success only by an appearance change or a general claim that the airway has improved.
For a specific movement concern, read our guide to tongue thrust and swallowing patterns. If nighttime breathing prompted your interest, see why adults may sleep with their mouth open.
Find out whether an evaluation makes sense
If you are an adult considering myofunctional therapy, contact Serenity Healthy Smiles in Appleton. Tell the team what prompted your interest and what you hope to understand. Dr. Dawn Diehnelt can discuss whether a dental evaluation is an appropriate next step.
Reference: Cochrane review of myofunctional therapy for obstructive sleep apnea