What are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)?

OMDs are abnormal patterns of the muscles of the mouth and face that can negatively impact normal growth, development, and/or function of these structures.

Signs & Symptoms:

  • Mouth breathing

  • Open mouth resting posture

  • Drooling

  • Protruded tongue position

  • Snoring

  • Audible breathing

  • Tongue tie

  • Dental malocclusion

  • Speech errors

  • Tongue thrust swallow pattern

Causes:

  • Airway Obstruction

    • Enlarged tonsils/adenoids

    • Deviated septum

    • Allergies

  • Noxious Habits

    • Thumb sucking

    • Finger sucking

    • Prolonged pacifier use

  • Tethered Oral Tissues

    • Ankyloglossia or “tongue tie”

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT), or myofunctional therapy, is a specialized form of therapy that focuses on retraining and improving the coordination, strength, and function of the muscles in the face, tongue, lips, and jaw. It is designed to correct muscle imbalances and inappropriate swallowing patterns, ultimately promoting proper oral rest posture and function.

Therapy is customized and may include exercises to strengthen the tongue and facial muscles, techniques to improve oral resting position and establish nasal breathing, support to correct an atypical swallowing pattern, and collaboration with dentists, orthodontists, and/or ENTs if needed.

Myofunctional therapy can be effective for tongue thrust, open mouth posture, tongue-tie, sleep-disordered breathing, oral habits, and speech sound disorders. This holistic approach supports long-term improvements in oral health, speech, and overall well-being.

  • To prepare the muscles of the tongue prior to a lingual release procedure in order to promote optimal healing and therapy outcomes.

  • To encourage proper positioning of the tongue suctioned to the palate, with the lips closed, while breathing through the nose to support healthy orofacial development and function.

  • To facilitate a transition from mouth breathing to nasal breathing, which can contribute to improved speech production, swallowing patterns, sleep quality, and overall wellness.

  • To correct atypical swallowing patterns, such as a reverse swallow pattern or “tongue thrust,” to improve feeding efficiency, support proper jaw alignment, and reduce dental issues.

  • To promote awareness, strength, and coordination of the orofacial muscles through functional speech tasks, resulting in improved speech sound production and increased intelligibility. 

  • To reinforce proper muscle function in order to assist in maintaining dental and orthodontic treatment results, reducing the risk of relapse.

  • To support balanced growth and alignment of facial structures, particularly in children, by establishing healthy functional habits early.

  • To increase awareness, strength, and coordination of oral and facial muscles, benefiting individuals with low tone, oral-motor delays, or neuromuscular challenges. 

Goals of myofunctional therapy include:

Balanced muscles mean better function.

Schedule your myofunctional therapy evaluation today!