Frequently Asked Questions
What is the therapy exactly?
Myofunctional therapy is a non-invasive exercise based program that improves orofacial muscle dysfunction. Dentists, dental hygienists and speech language pathologists may practice myofunctional therapy after receiving specialty training. You will be given new exercises every 2 weeks to practice daily. There are two types: active and passive exercises. Active exercises will require watching yourself in a mirror and trying to minimize muscle compensations while doing them. Passive exercises take minimal effort and can be done easily while doing something else-- watching TV, scrolling on your phone etc. A full therapy program is on average 12 sessions for adult and teens and 10 sessions for a child 5-12 years old. Changing behaviors takes time to complete and that is why the program lasts approximately 7-9 months (or 4-6 months for the kids program).
What do I need to start therapy?
You will need a computer (laptop or desktop), high speed internet and a hand mirror. Once you start the program I will send you a therapy tool kit that will aid in a number of exercises. The tool kit packaging and supplies are Eco friendly (where possible).
How do I pay for therapy?
Therapy services are private pay only because medical insurances do not commonly cover orofacial myofunctional therapy.
There are a few options to pay including: PayPal, Venmo, Square, flex spending accounts and health savings accounts (FSA/HSA cards) and payment plans for full therapy programs.
Is there research on myofunctional therapy?
There is published research in highly respected medical journals that support myofunctional therapy. Here are some to get you started on your research journey:
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
Short lingual frenulum and head-forward posture in children with the risk
of obstructive sleep apnea- 2021 Poland
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165587621000926
Nature of Science and Sleep
Obstructive sleep apnea: focus on myofunctional therapy- 2018 Brazil
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6132228/
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Relapse of anterior open bites treated with orthodontic appliances with and without orofacial myofunctional therapy- 2010 USA
https://aomtinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/AJODO_RelapseAnteriorOpenBite.pdf
American Journal of Respiratory Care and Critical Care Medicine
Effects of Oropharyngeal Exercises on Patients with Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome- 2008 Brazil
Laryngoscope, Investigative Otolaryngology
Lingual frenuloplasty with myofunctional therapy: Exploring safety and efficacy in 348 cases (open access)- 2019 USA
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/lio2.297
Sleep and Breathing- International Journal of the Science and Practice of Sleep Medicine
Myofunctional therapy improves adherence to continuous positive airway pressure treatment-2016 Brazil
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11325-016-1429-6
There are many more articles- just ask!