Dentistry focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating conditions of the teeth, gums, and oral structures, supporting oral health and overall well-being.
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The final phase of orofacial myology is maintenance. This is where the newly learned neuromuscular patterns are tested against the rigors of daily life. The goal is “habituation,” meaning the correct oral posture and functions have become the default setting for the brain, requiring no conscious thought.
Results in this field are measured functionally and structurally. Success is a patient who breathes through their nose day and night, swallows without facial grimacing, and maintains a stable dental occlusion. Maintenance involves a gradual tapering of therapy visits while monitoring stability.
This phase also emphasizes the lifelong nature of oral health. Just as physical fitness requires maintenance, oral fitness does too. Patients are equipped with the knowledge to self monitor and intervene if they notice old habits creeping back.
The ultimate prize is habituation. This occurs when the new neural pathways are myelinated and stronger than the old ones. The patient no longer has to remind themselves to “put the tongue up.” It happens automatically.
This is confirmed when the patient can perform complex tasks (like reading aloud or sleeping) while maintaining proper posture. The therapist tests this by distracting the patient and observing if the mouth drops open or the tongue slips.
One of the most tangible results of successful therapy is the stability of teeth. Teeth sit in a neutral zone between the tongue and the cheeks. If the muscle forces are balanced, the teeth stay put.
Myofunctional therapy significantly reduces the risk of orthodontic relapse. Patients who complete therapy often find that their retainers fit perfectly year after year because the tongue is no longer pushing the teeth out of alignment.
For patients with sleep apnea or breathing disorders, maintenance means a patent airway. The toned muscles of the throat are less likely to collapse. This often results in quieter sleep and better oxygenation.
Long term results show that children treated with OMT and expansion are less likely to develop sleep apnea as adults. For adults, therapy can reduce the severity of their condition or make CPAP therapy more effective and comfortable.
Form follows function. When the tongue rests on the palate, it supports the cheekbones and maxilla. Over time, this can lead to subtle but positive changes in facial appearance, especially in growing children.
“Orthotropics” posits that proper posture leads to forward facial growth rather than vertical melting. Results include better definition of the jawline, reduced mentalis strain (chin dimpling), and a more balanced facial profile.
Long term maintenance ensures that speech gains are held. The precision of articulation requires stable jaw grading and independent tongue movement.
Patients often report that their speech feels “lighter” and requires less effort. Lisping and distortions are eliminated, and the clarity of communication is enhanced, boosting confidence in social and professional settings.
By balancing the muscles of mastication and creating a freeway space between the teeth, therapy protects the jaw joints. Maintenance involves keeping the masseter muscles relaxed and avoiding clenching.
Patients who maintain these habits experience fewer tension headaches and less jaw pain. The joint operates smoothly without the excessive loading caused by improper swallowing or parafunctional habits.
A correct swallow introduces less air into the stomach (aerophagia). Furthermore, proper chewing (mastication) is the first step of digestion. Therapy ensures food is broken down effectively before swallowing.
Results often include a reduction in bloating, gas, and reflux symptoms. By eating slowly and breathing nasally, the patient shifts into a “rest and digest” parasympathetic state, optimizing gastrointestinal function.
Therapy does not end abruptly. It fades out. The frequency of visits drops from weekly to bi weekly, then monthly, and finally quarterly. This weaning process tests the patient’s independence.
If habits start to slip during the taper, the therapist can intervene immediately. This safety net ensures that the investment in therapy is secured before the patient is fully discharged.
Graduation confers a toolkit for life. Patients leave with the knowledge of how their mouth should feel. They know that if they wake up with a dry mouth, they need to check their nasal breathing.
This self awareness is the most powerful result. It empowers the patient to manage their own oral health and recognize when they might need a “tune up” session in the future.
For child patients, the results are preventative. By correcting the trajectory of growth early, therapy prevents the development of severe malocclusion, sleep apnea, and speech disorders later in life.
The result is a child who grows to their full genetic potential, with a broad airway and a healthy face. This is the highest value of orofacial myology: stopping problems before they become permanent pathologies.
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Signs of relapse include waking up with a dry mouth (mouth breathing), finding your tongue pressing against your teeth, seeing your teeth start to shift, or the return of clicking in your jaw joint.
No. Once the new habits are hardwired into your brain (habituation), you stop the exercises. The correct posture becomes your new normal. However, you must maintain that posture.
Braces move teeth, but they don’t change muscle function. If you have a tongue thrust and get braces, the teeth will look straight when the braces come off, but the tongue will likely push them out of place again over time.
Stopping before habituation is complete usually leads to a loss of progress. The brain will revert to the old, stronger neural pathways, and the muscles will lose the tone they gained.
It is never too late to improve muscle function. While adults cannot change their skeletal growth like children can, they can absolutely resolve pain, improve sleep, and stabilize their teeth through therapy at any age.
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