Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)

This type of therapy helps develop and maintain proper oral posture and function with or without the need of a tongue or lip tie release. If a myofunctional disorder is detected early enough, correcting the disorder will stimulate proper development of the jaws allowing the teeth to fall perfectly into place. This therapy will pull the tongue up and away from the back of the throat treating snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. This therapy also stabilizes the jaws treating TMJ disorders and neck and back pain. 

To prevent orthodontic relapse this therapy will prevent the tongue and lips from pressing on the teeth moving them back to where they were before orthodontic treatment. Also, if a tongue or lip tie release is needed, completing this therapy before and after the surgery will prevent relapse and help treat the related symptoms of the tie.

How Does Myofunctional Therapy Work?

Myofunctional Therapy is a combination of therapeutic and exercise treatment programs designed to recontour the oral and facial muscles by using exercises to strengthen the muscles in the cheeks, tongue, lips, jaw, and mouth. 

After an initial consultation to fully evaluate and diagnose your current orofacial patterns, a treatment program for Myofunctional Therapy may depend on the age of the patient. For children who are experiencing orofacial issues, Dr. Barnhart may recommend Myofunctional Therapy for up to a year and then reassess if further treatment is necessary. For adults, this type of therapy is typically prescribed as part of tongue-tie release or orthodontic treatments.

Many of the body’s natural processes are linked to the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, so improving the airway with Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy can also have many direct and indirect effects in other areas such as digestion and gastrointestinal functions.

Why Choose Rachel Barnhart, DDS for Myofunctional Therapy?

At Rachel Barnhart, DDS, we have a certified Myofunctional therapist in-house who will work with you throughout your treatment. We use this highly effective therapy to treat multiple conditions including:

• Sleep apnea
• Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)
• Headaches
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
• Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)

Myofunctional Therapy is not a “one size fits all” treatment, and Dr. Barnhart and her team will create a completely individualized plan that achieves optimal results for your specific needs.

Contact us today or schedule an appointment online to find out more about Myofunctional Therapy and learn if it’s right for you!

For more information see videos from the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT) on YouTube