SL_Dr . Lantzy Profile_0824FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 8 / 30 / 24 10 : 12 AM Page 2 “ For example , the portunity to help others , both in his office otolaryngologists ( ENT and in the community . He also loves to doctors ) can help with learn , which is why he’s continually attending a septal deviation or if educationalseminars , delving into the latest polyps are discovered research , and looking for new and more ef - to ensure the airway fectiveways to safeguard his patients ’ health . is structurally sound “ People want to live longer , and we’re for you to breathe in here to help them make sure their health the first place , ” Dr . span matches their lifespan , ” he adds . “ We Lantzy says . “ Some want them to be happy about living longer people may need to because they’re in good health . It’s why I see a myofunctional went to school , and it’s why I continue to therapist for oral and addto my knowledge base through continuing facial muscle therapy education . I enjoy learning , especially when to help with proper new things can improve the health of our ? breathing or after a community and the people who live in it . ” frenectomy for patients Dr . Lantzy can use nonsurgical options whowere tongue tied . such as guides , myofunctional therapy , Others may need the and custom CARE appliances to treat Myofunctional Therapy airway disorders . attentionof chiroprac - tors or nutritionists , for Orthodontic Relapse amongothers . We can lethalailments such as cardiovascular arg Lantzy , who is the practice manager for beyour coach through disease , diabetes , and some forms MRobert A . Lantzy , DMD , LLC ( as well as Dr . all of this . ” of cancer . Lantzy’s wife ) , has firsthand experience of the ben - Myofunctional “ Therearechildren who are get - efits of myofunctional therapy . She recently shared therapy can be per - tingmedicated for ADHD , ” Dr . Lantzy her story about being introduced to the therapy by formed in Dr . Lantzy’s says , “ but in reality , they may have a Marcie Lear , a dental hygienist and certified orofa - office by Marcie Lear , sleep disorder caused by a develop - cial myofunctional therapist with the practice . mental problem . ” He adds that a a hygienist who com - “ I had a bonded , retaining wire placed after sleep study can be an early step to pletedadvanced train - three years of traditional orthodontics . I wore the diagnose sleep disorders . ing and received certi - retainer for well over 20 years and when I had it re - Themost common prescription ficationas an orofacial moved , I noticed my lower teeth beginning to shift for the treatment of OSA is a CPAP myofunctional thera - within several months . I thought by that point my ( continuouspositive airway pressure ) pist.She uses exercises bone support was mature enough to keep my teeth machine , which opens the airway and behavior - modifi - locked in place . Even so , during a routine dental during sleep . CPAP , while effective , cation techniques to health visit , Marcie noticed some patterns that like - is intolerable to some . OSA can also essentially “ retrain ” the ly contributed to my orthodontic relapse . My be treated surgically , though Dr . tongue , lips , and cheek tongue liked to touch my lower teeth , which likely Lantzy recommends a more con - muscles.Myofunction - pushed and made them shift . I wasn’t aware of the servativeapproach . He cites oral ap - altherapy can be help - habit until then , and I needed it to stop . pliance therapy , which keeps the air - ful for individuals who “ Myofunctional therapy is helping me to re - way open during sleep by advancing the had previous orthodontic treatment only to train and correct my function so that , when I realign lowerjaw forward and preventing the tongue see the teeth relapse . ( See sidebar . ) Dr . the shifted teeth , they will stay in place ; my tongue fromblocking the throat . Still , another option : Lantzy says it can help reduce OSA by 50 won’t fight and push . After completing an initial as - c percentinadults , with an even higher success omplete airway repositioning and / or ex - sessment , Marcie set me on a path to gain greater rate among children . pansion ( CARE ) through VIVOS providers . tone and awareness of my habits . This , in turn , will One of Dr . Lantzy’s patients , Melissa “ ACARE appliance is a little bigger than also help prevent issues like obstructive sleep ap - Mayer , became aware of myofunctional ther - a mouthguard , ” Dr . Lantzy says . “ An adult nea . My first session included ‘ active ’ and ‘ passive ’ apywhen it was suggested for her son , De - would wear it 12 to 16 hours a day . After exercises . Without creating stress and compensat - clan , to help with a variety of alignment about a year [ of use ] , it will have effectively ing functions , I am tasking myself to isolate certain issues . Even though it wasn’t covered by in - created more space . You may need clear facial muscles . I practice at home twice a day and surance , Mayer decided to proceed with the aligners [ such as Invisalign ] to finish the check in with Marcie about every two weeks to therapy for her son . She described it as case , but the airway is more developed as a keep my progress going . ” “ worth every penny . ” result . ” Myofunctional therapy also facilitates healthi - Dr.Lantzy’s “ Guided Growth and Devel - “ We’ve gone through six treatments er gums and teeth . When a person can breathe opment ” program is focused on the growth total , and I have seen such improvement through their nose and properly seal their lips , the and development of a child’s airway . Using withhow wide Declan can open his mouth , oral tissues remain moist , which makes plaque easi - a series of guides that progress at different and he doesn’t seem to be as picky with er to remove . They stay healthier as a result . For stages of a child’s development , the guide eatingeither , ” she said recently . “ He’s currently anyone who is prone to ear infections , has speech system essentially lays the framework for a usinga mouth guide to help correct his bite , difficulties , or struggles with digestive and seasonal healthier airway . In the process Dr . Lantzy and I don’t think he would have tolerated allergy problems , consider being evaluated to see if can help steer the teeth into the correct po - the appliance anywhere near as easily if we myofunctional therapy can help . sition , developing a straight smile with healthy hadn’t gone through the six sessions . His occlusion , often precluding the need for or - last visit for a dental cleaning and X - rays thodontics later in a child’s life . wentmuch more smoothly as he was able Robert A . Lantzy , DMD , LLC Regardlessof a patient’s age , the practice toopen his mouth wide enough throughout 11 Friends Lane , Suite 100 takes an integrative approach and may the entire appointment . ” Newtown , PA 18940 | ( 215 ) 860 - 5901 involve the expertise of other medical spe - Even after almost 40 years of practicing www.buckscountydental.com cialists . dentistry , Dr . Lantzy still treasures the op - SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 15 ISSUE 11 | 31