What is Stimulotherapy?
Stimulotherapy is a technique based on the nocturnal use of simple devices that act as stimuli and thus generate exercises to change the tone and function of the musculature and model the expression of the face.
The treatment is based on a set of techniques that correct various bad habits. These negative habits are originated due to habits or pathologies of the oral functionality.
Why is it performed?
Stimulotherapy is indicated to normalize oral dysfunctions such as bruxism (teeth grinding) or dental malocclusion, which can cause problems with breathing, chewing, swallowing or tooth wear. The aim of stimulation therapy is to achieve automated exercises while the patient rests at night, without having to make an effort to do so. In any case, stimulation therapy does not replace myofunctional reeducation (performed by speech therapists), but is a method to automate the desired muscular exercises and achieve certain functional effects in the oral cavity.
Stimulotherapy allows to correct bad habits of oral functionality.
What does it consist of?
In dentistry, stimulotherapy is applied through a set of previously manufactured devices. To achieve an optimal result, it is essential to perform a functional diagnosis. In this way, the root cause of the existing functional problem will be determined and a follow-up can be carried out.
The main aspects related to oral functionality are swallowing, breathing and masticatory pattern. The following devices are available to correct these possible problems:
- Nasal stimulators: the patient is intubated so that he/she can breathe correctly. It can be used for situations with nasal collapse, oral respirators and snoring patients.
- Mouth obturator: it is used to re-educate the patient’s breathing, placing the device between the lips and teeth. Mouth breathing is corrected in patients who always have their lips apart, and they switch to nasal breathing.
- Lip stimulator: this device exercises the patient’s lips and is used in patients with incompetent lips or short lips. This device makes the patient, when the lips together, pulls the tongue backwards, so that the atypical swallowing is also re-educated.
In Orthodontics there are other appliances, which are:
- Open bite appliance: this is placed in the mouth and the patient bites it, so that the masseter muscle is exercised.
- Muscle relaxer: it is used to improve the patient’s comfort. The appliance is used to control overbite or bruxism, for example.
Preparation for stimulation therapy
To follow a stimulus therapy treatment, patients should see a specialist. The specialist will carry out a functional diagnosis. This preliminary study is fundamental, since it serves to determine the functional problem in an objective way and to be able to analyze its evolution.
In this way, the different key aspects related to oral functionality will be evaluated and, in this way, the appropriate treatment can be offered in each case.
Care after the intervention
After the treatment, which can have a very varied duration, the specialist must carry out a follow-up to evaluate the evolution of the patient.
Alternatives to this treatment
Depending on the pathology, there may be alternatives or complementary treatments. It is very important to carry out an adequate diagnosis and evolution in order to be able to assess whether stimulotherapy can solve the problem presented by the patient.
In several cases it is usually combined with orthodontic procedures, although each situation must be assessed individually. Finally, it should be noted that the treatment does not replace myofunctional therapy, a system that prevents and rehabilitates dysfunctions or imbalances of the orofacial muscles.