Frequently Asked Questions
How does an orthodontist play a role in your/your child’s overall health?
Dr. Catherine Murphy recently published multiple articles in The Times of Northwest Indiana newspaper regarding the role of orthodontics in one’s overall health.
Here are the links:
Straightening smiles through innovative problem solving
Reading the story in your child’s teeth
Early evaluation ‘intercepts,’ prevents later orthodontic problems
Innovative planning for better oral health
Orthodontist creates unique book club to treat ‘whole patient’
Please check out this video from the American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry (AAPMD)
“Finding Connor Deegan.”
-Valerie Deegan
What is myofunctional therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is also called orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) or orofacial myology. (myo = muscle, oro = mouth).
This discipline first evaluates the function of the facial and mouth muscles and then treats the disorders (orofacial myofunctional disorders – OMDs) through therapeutic exercises and behavioral modification. This can include habit elimination for thumb/finger/tongue sucking and fingernail biting.
Many symptoms are associated with dysfunctions of the muscles of the facial and mouth. Do you or your child have or experience any of the following:
- crooked teeth
- relapse following braces
- mouth breathing
- headaches
- digestive problems
- tongue tie/ankyloglossia/tethered oral tissues (TOTs)
- TMJ
- drooling
- clenching and/or grinding of teeth
- failure to thrive
- middle ear concerns
- habits such as, but not limited to, thumb/finger/tongue sucking, chewing on objects such as pens/pencils/fingernails, lip/cheek biting
- forward head posture
Dr. Catherine Murphy understands the importance the muscles of the face and mouth have on the teeth, jaws and airway. Dr. Murphy completed the intensive “Comprehensive Introduction to Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy” course given by Joy Moeller. This course answered many of the questions Dr. Murphy was not getting answers to through her typical continuing education classes. This course also showed her that many other professionals, outside of dentistry, were also seeking answers to symptoms that were showing up in the mouth, such as tongue thrust, teeth grinding and snoring.
Dr. Murphy opened her practice with the name “In Harmony” because the goal is beyond just straight teeth. She closely works with myofunctional therapists to ensure the teeth and jaws are working in harmony with the rest of the face for the best outcome.
Here is a brochure from the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy explaining more about this interdisciplinary treatment.
Click Image Below to Download Brochure
Foods that can be enjoyed and foods to avoid while in braces.
Common orthodontic concerns such as what to do if a wire is poking.
