Speech therapy and myofunctional therapy play a key role in promoting well-being and quality of life, helping individuals overcome difficulties in communication, breathing, chewing, swallowing, among other orofacial functions.
At Clínica Medicis Dental in Leiria, we offer an integrated and specialized approach that allows you to treat these conditions effectively, helping both children and adults to improve their functionality and develop more efficient communication.
What is Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy is an area of health that focuses on the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of human communication disorders, whether they are related to speech, language, voice, or fluency.
It is an intervention that is aimed at both children and adults who have difficulties in different aspects of communication, such as:
Speech therapy develops communication skills essential for academic and professional success and to improve quality of life and social interaction.
What is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is a subspecialty within speech therapy that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of dysfunctions of the orofacial system, especially with regard to the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and face.
These myofunctional dysfunctions can be associated with incorrect oral habits, such as finger sucking, lingual interposition, or breathing problems, such as predominantly oral breathing.
Orofacial myofunctional disorders can affect several functions, including:
Difficulty chewing food correctly.
Problems with swallowing or swallowing atypically.
Mouth breathing, which can impair the normal development of the face and cause other health problems.
The incorrect position of the tongue or lips can compromise the pronunciation of certain sounds.
Myofunctional therapy re-educates the facial and oral muscles, improving functions such as chewing, swallowing, breathing and speech.
The Importance of Speech and Myofunctional Therapy in Childhood
Speech therapy and myofunctional therapy are essential in child development, helping to overcome difficulties that affect communication, learning, and socialization. At Medicis Dental Clinic, we treat children with a variety of conditions.
The sooner these conditions are diagnosed and treated, the more likely they are to succeed. Early intervention is essential to correct incorrect patterns and ensure that the child reaches his or her full potential in the development of language and orofacial functions.
Speech Therapy
in adults
Speech therapy is not limited to children. Many adults can also benefit from this type of intervention, especially in cases of:
Myofunctional Therapy and the Relationship with Orthodontics
One of the areas where myofunctional therapy has a significant impact is in supporting orthodontic treatments.
Problems such as tongue interposition or mouth breathing can hinder the success of an orthodontic treatment, resulting in misalignment of the teeth or return to malocclusion after removal of the orthodontic appliance.
At Clínica Medicis Dental, our team of myofunctional therapists works closely with orthodontists to ensure that patients maintain a correct orofacial muscle pattern during and after orthodontic treatment.
This multidisciplinary approach allows patients to achieve better long-term outcomes by preventing relapse and promoting healthy dental occlusion.
How does Speech and Myofunctional Therapy work?
Treatment in both speech therapy and myofunctional therapy begins with a detailed evaluation by a qualified therapist. This evaluation includes analysis of oral and facial functions, such as speech articulation, swallowing pattern, tongue posture at rest, and breathing.
Based on this assessment, a personalized treatment plan is devised that may include specific exercises to re-educate the orofacial muscles and improve functionality.
Speech therapy may involve activities and exercises to help the patient develop articulation, fluency, voice, and language skills. Myofunctional therapy, on the other hand, focuses on muscle-strengthening exercises to correct improper swallowing, chewing, and breathing patterns.
During therapy sessions, the therapist will also provide guidance and practical advice so that patients can continue to apply the techniques at home, accelerating progress and ensuring the effectiveness of the treatment.
Benefits of Speech and Myofunctional Therapy
The benefits of speech therapy and myofunctional therapy are vast and cover various areas of patients’ lives. Key benefits include:
Improved communication
For those who face difficulties in articulating words or expressing themselves clearly, speech therapy provides the necessary tools to improve these skills, promoting greater confidence and effectiveness in communication.
Correction of inappropriate oral habits
Myofunctional therapy helps eliminate habits such as finger sucking or mouth breathing, which can harm facial and dental development.
Orthodontic treatment support
Re-education of orofacial muscle function during myofunctional therapy helps ensure that the tooth alignment achieved with braces is maintained in the long term.
Improved
quality of life
By treating disorders in speech or orofacial functions, patients feel safer, more comfortable and able to perform daily activities without constraints.
Our approach at Clínica Medicis
At Clínica Medicis Dental, in Leiria, we offer an integrated and personalized approach for each patient.
Our team of speech therapists and myofunctional therapists work together with other specialists, such as orthodontists and maxillofacial surgeons, to ensure effective and complete treatment.
With a multidisciplinary approach and a treatment plan tailored to individual needs, we are committed to providing the best possible outcomes for each patient.
Book Your Appointment at Medicis Dental Clinic
If you have concerns related to speech, communication or orofacial functions, speech therapy and myofunctional therapy may be the ideal solution for you. At Medicis Dental Clinic, we offer a specialized and personalized approach to help each patient achieve the best results.
Contact us today to book an appointment and begin your journey to better communicative and orofacial health.
