Myofunctional therapy

Features of myofunctional therapy

Myofunctional therapy is a conservative, non-invasive treatment with a high safety profile that retrains the orofacial muscles through specific exercises. By promoting lip seal and resting the tongue against the palate, it can correct mouth breathing and atypical swallowing. It also helps prevent upper airway collapse during sleep and is therefore indicated for primary snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), either as monotherapy or as an adjunct to other treatments. 

Placement of the tongue seal

For correct placement, position it between the buccal surfaces of the teeth and the lips, gently drawing the lips around its outer structure. Then rest the tip of the tongue directly against the palate, just behind the upper teeth, ensuring a complete lip seal. This positioning naturally encourages the mouth to remain closed, promoting an exclusively nasal, effortless breathing pattern.

 

 

Using the tongue seal for myofunctional therapy

Used in conjunction with the syringe, the tongue seal is an essential complementary tool in myofunctional therapy. Together, they generate negative pressure, which helps hold the tongue against the hard and soft palate. This improves proprioception and tongue posture through neuromuscular memory training, maintaining physiological tongue-to-palate contact during sleep. It also enhances the therapeutic effect of muscle exercises, accelerating correction of atypical swallowing and lip seal. This combination enables patients to gradually acquire correct tongue posture and lip seal, ensuring gradual, unconscious progression towards an appropriate breathing and swallowing pattern.