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OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY for Adults, Teenagers & Children

OVERVIEW of MYOFUNCTIONAL DISORDERS

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

An Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD) is defined by aberrant oral and orofacial muscle movements that interfere with:

  • Normal and optimal growth patterns of the oral cavity, jaw, and face

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  • Proper lingual resting posture

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  • Effective chewing, food collection, and swallowing

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  • Optimal airway, breathing, and sleep quality

Speech-language pathologists who have advanced training in OMDs play integral roles in identifying and treating the disorders. The therapist works alongside a team of professionals, such as ENTs, orthodontists, and dentists, and assists with patient management across all professionals involved in the client's care. 

COMMON SIGNS & SYMPTOMS of a MYOFUNCTIONAL DISORDER

​Myofunctional disorders can affect individuals of any age and at any stage of life. If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms related to a myofunctional disorder, it's not too late to get help!

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  • Mouth breathing, open mouth posture, and/or inadequate lip closure

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  • Low-lying tongue posture

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  • Limited lingual range of motion and tongue-ties

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  • Dental misalignment, crowding, open bites, overbites, underbites, and the need for orthodontic intervention

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  • Parafunctional habits such as thumbsucking, chewing on objects and clothing, and nail-biting

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  • Difficulty with certain sounds, especially sounds that have not responded well to traditional speech therapy interventions such as R, L, and S/Z (lisping)

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  • Tongue thrust (tongue pushing against the teeth to swallow)

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  • Teeth grinding, jaw pain, TMJ disorder

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

HOW OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY CAN HELP

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Orofacial myofunctional treatment aims to promote the following:

  • Remediate stubborn articulation disorders

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  • Improve nasal breathing habits 

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  • Correct swallow pattern

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  • Reduce the risk of reattachment of tissue after a tongue or lip frenectomy

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  • Improve posture for proper tongue and mouth postures​

Through research-based methods, we work with clients to retrain the muscle movements of the mouth and face to eliminate abnormal muscular movements and stabilize the muscles of the mouth and face, while increasing awareness of the tongue and mouth positioning.

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Therapy typically requires weekly visits for the first few months and then tapers off until the new habits have been effectively integrated into daily life.

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Children as young as 4 years old, teens, and adults of all ages benefit from orofacial myofunctional therapy.

We are accepting new clients!

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