• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to footer
Barnhart DDS

Barnhart DDS

Orofacial Myofunctional Dentist in Redding, CA | Rachel Barnhart DDS

  • Services
    • Airway-Focused Orthodontics
    • Bioclear System
    • Bridges
    • Children and Adult Lip and Tongue Tie Release
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Crowns
    • Dentures, Partials and Implant Retained Prostheses
    • Extractions with Bone Grafting
    • Fillings
    • Infant Lip and Tongue Tie Release
    • Myofunctional Therapy
    • Oral Appliances
    • Pediatric Dental
    • Periodontal Cleanings and Gingivitis Prevention
    • Preventive Services
    • Restoring Dental Implants
    • Teeth Whitening
    • TMD Treatment
    • Veneers
  • Patient Info
    • New Patient Forms
    • Established Patient Forms
    • Financing Options
    • Dental Resource Library
    • Infant Care Resource Library
    • Post-Operative Care
  • About Us
    • About Dr. Barnhart & Team
    • Our Office
  • Referring Providers
    • Infant Referral Form
    • Airway/TMJ Referral Form
    • Airway Orthodontics/Oral Appliance Therapy Clearance Form
  • Contact Us
  • Book Online.
  • Call us.

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

About Dr. Barnhart

Why choose us?

Our team is friendly, caring & comforting.

Our team is friendly, caring & comforting.

Sure, we’re passionate about delivering great dental care, but our primary focus is making our patients feel safe, comfortable & well cared-for. Dr. Barnhart and our whole team (including our therapy dog, Fendi) welcome each patient like family.

We always seek to treat the whole patient.

We always seek to treat the whole patient.

We believe that good dentistry is about more than just filling cavities. Your oral health plays a huge role in your overall health, so we always endeavor to treat the whole patient, offering advanced treatments like myofunctional therapy to help you breathe better & look your best.

We use modern techniques to make your visit comfortable.

We use modern techniques to make your visit comfortable.

Dentistry has come a long way, and we embrace the best technologies & techniques to ensure your visit will be comfortable, no-stress & pain free. We offer oral sedation to help patients sit back and relax if they are nervous about dental care or want to get more done in a single visit.

Our dental credentials

ada
aomt
CDA Logo
Seattle-Study-Club
logo
Logo Long (new name)
ncds
RADSF-transparent
AADSM Member Logo BW
2019-Breathe-Ambassador-Badge

Request an appointment

We specialize in airway dentistry, and therefore have limited availability for new patients seeking general dentistry. If you think you are a good candidate for our airway-related treatments, please select that option from the form below. Our office will be in touch with you if we’re able to accept your appointment request.

Footer

Our Dental Services:

  • Airway-Focused Dentistry
  • Bioclear System
  • Children and Adult Lip and Tongue Tie Release
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Crowns
  • Dental Bridges
  • Dental Veneers
  • Dentures, Partials and Implant Retained Prostheses
  • Extractions with Bone Grafting
  • Fillings
  • Infant Lip and Tongue Tie Release
  • Myofunctional Therapy
  • Oral Appliances
  • Pediatric Dental
  • Periodontal Cleanings and Gingivitis Prevention
  • Preventive Services
  • Restoring Dental Implants
  • Teeth Whitening
  • TMD Treatment

Office Hours:

M: 8:00-5:00
T: 8:00-5:00
W: 8:00-5:00
TH: 8:00-5:00
Closed Friday except by special appointment.

Rachel Barnhart, DDS Inc

2190 Larkspur Lane

Suite 100

Redding, CA 96002

(530) 222-1400 (office)