Myofunctional Therapy

The Vital Connection Between Muscle Function and Oral Wellness

What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)?

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) focuses on improving oral health and facial muscle function. By targeting the muscles of the lips, tongue, cheeks, upper airway, and face, OMT helps restore balance and support overall well-being. This therapy not only enhances function but can also provide long-term health and aesthetic benefits.

OMT uses tailored exercises to strengthen and retrain neurological pathways crucial for:

  • Craniofacial development in children
  • Ideal oral function in adults

Identifying Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)

OMDs can affect essential functions such as:

  • Breathing
  • Sucking
  • Chewing
  • Swallowing
  • Speech

How Myofunctional Therapy Helps

Myofunctional therapy rebalances the muscles around the mouth, face, and neck. It improves muscle function and coordination to support key activities such as breathing, chewing, swallowing, and speech.

What Can Myofunctional Therapy Treat?

Orthodontic Stability

Myofunctional therapy promotes proper tongue posture and balanced oral muscles, helping maintain orthodontic results and reducing the risk of relapse.

Low Tongue Posture

Therapy retrains the tongue to rest in a healthy position, supporting proper breathing, chewing, and swallowing.

Mouth Breathing

Exercises encourage nasal breathing instead of mouth breathing, which supports better overall health and oral development.

Snoring & Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Targeted exercises can help reduce snoring and lessen the severity of OSA when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Facial Esthetics

By strengthening and balancing the facial muscles, myofunctional therapy can support improved facial symmetry and soften the appearance of fine lines over time.

Treatment Goals and Benefits

Myofunctional therapy can reduce or eliminate TMD-related pain and symptoms, improve quality of life, and reduce the need for more invasive treatments.

We are fortunate to have a myofunctional therapist on our team, Stephanie Garcia. To learn more or request an appointment, visit Stephanie Garcia’s myofunctional therapy portal .