Starting January 2023, lead doctor at Children’s Choice, Dr. Jonelle Grant Anamelechi and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist, Jolene Piper, will expand their team to create a full suite of services to assist pediatric patients under one roof. In particular, she will be updating her Myofunctional Therapy to stop children from sucking their fingers and correct orofacial issues that may be causing orthodontic and airway concerns.
More details can be found at https://www.mychildrenschoicedental.com/thrive
The new initiative is a one-of-a-kind offering in the Washington, D.C. area for children suffering from thumb sucking, constant and excessive drooling, and improper tongue resting caused by an orofacial myofunctional disorder. Unless otherwise immediately treated, these disorders may progress and develop into malocclusion (teeth misalignment) and future orthodontic challenges.
Myofunctional Therapy is typically a non-surgical treatment comprised of a series of physical therapy exercises to adjust how the tongue rests inside the mouth. Clients are taught how to train their tongues to properly rest and move without pushing against the gum or teeth.
However, some orofacial myofunctional disorders may be caused by a lip-tie or tongue-tie. For these cases, Children’s Choice may first recommend laser frenectomy to release the frenum back into its intended position. Once the child recovers, they can then begin Myofunctional Therapy.
Orofacial myofunctional disorders may be challenging to initially diagnose because their symptoms may coincide with other disorders such as sleep apnea or teeth grinding. However, if a child constantly displays these symptoms, regardless of any treatment, then parents are encouraged to visit their pediatric dentist as soon as possible.
One of the most common symptoms of an orofacial myofunctional disorder is excessive and chronic sucking of thumbs or fingers. OMDs increase the risk of a child developing overbite or underbite.
Children’s Choice is a leading pediatric dentistry practice in the area. As a specialized clinic, it understands the unique needs of children and has taken every opportunity to create a peaceful and child-friendly environment to reduce dental anxiety.
The clinic is comprised of specialist pediatric dentists and orthodontists who train 3 years longer than general dentists.
Interested parties can find more information by visiting https://www.mychildrenschoicedental.com/services/laser-dentistry or their home page https://www.mychildrenschoicedental.com/
Children’s Choice Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics- Washington, DC
+1-202-410-0088
2013 Bunker Hill Rd NE
United States
COMTEX_427169554/2764/2023-03-21T11:12:11