Frequently Asked Questions

Myofunctional Therapy, also known as Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, is a specialized intervention designed to address Oral Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs). Therapy involves a regimen of therapeutic oral and facial muscle exercises that are suited to the individual patient’s needs. The exercises are designed to develop correct chewing and swallowing patterns, along with improving the resting postures of the tongue and lips. Oral Myofunctional Disorders may affect breastfeeding, growth of the facial skeleton, swallowing, chewing, jaw and dental occlusion, oral hygiene, stability of orthodontic treatment, temporomandibular joint movement, and more. THE FOUR GOALS OF MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY ARE 1. PROPER SWALLOWING PATTERN 2.TONGUE POSTURE 3.PROPER LIP SEAL AND 4. NASAL BREATHING.

• Inappropriate thrusting, habitual anterior placement of the tongue in speaking and/or swallowing
• Habits of sucking the thumb, finger(s), lip(s), and/or tongue
• Forward, interdental resting posture and positioning of the tongue problem
• Habitual breathing through the mouth
• Clenching and/or grinding of teeth
• An inappropriate mouth-open, lips-open at rest
• Forward/anterior resting position of the tongue against the maxillary or mandibular incisors

• Improved breathing: Myofunctional therapy can help improve nasal breathing, which can help stabilize the upper airway. 
• Reduced snoring: Myofunctional therapy can help reduce snoring and improve obstructive sleep apnea. 
• Better dental alignment: Myofunctional therapy can help correct dental alignment issues. 
• Improved speech: Myofunctional therapy can help with speech difficulties. 
• Better eating function: Myofunctional therapy can help improve eating function after surgery to treat dental or facial deformity. 
• Reduced risk of tooth decay: Myofunctional therapy can help reduce the risk of tooth decay. 
• Better facial symmetry: Myofunctional therapy can help improve facial symmetry. 
• Improved muscle tone: Myofunctional therapy can help increase muscle tone. 
• Improved overall health: Myofunctional therapy can contribute to improved overall health. 
• Reduced need for orthodontics: Myofunctional therapy can help prevent orthodontic relapse and eliminate the need for orthodontics. 
• Improved sleep quality: Myofunctional therapy can help improve sleep quality. 
• Reduced bedwetting: Myofunctional therapy can help reduce bedwetting. 
• Reduced sleeping walking: Myofunctional therapy can help reduce sleeping walking. 
• Reduced night terrors: Myofunctional therapy can help reduce night terrors.