WHAT IS OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY?

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) can benefit both children and adults who are experiencing challenges related to oral function and posture. This includes individuals with mouth breathing, poor tongue posture, tongue thrust, lip incompetence, or atypical swallowing patterns.

OMT may also support those working in collaboration with other healthcare providers for concerns such as speech sound distortions, TMJ discomfort, or sleep-disordered breathing. Therapy is frequently integrated into pre- and post-frenectomy care (tongue-tie release) to help ensure optimal functional outcomes.

Additionally, OMT is often recommended alongside orthodontic care to address the muscle patterns that contribute to orthodontic relapse, helping to stabilize results by supporting proper oral posture and functional habits.

OMT does not diagnose or treat medical conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, speech-language disorders, or jaw joint disease. Therapy is provided in coordination with licensed medical and dental professionals as appropriate. 

The length of therapy varies based on the severity of the dysfunction, patient consistency, and individual progress. Most successful programs last approximately 

6 to 12 months.

OMT follows a structured, three-phase process:

• 1. Learning Phase
  Patients are introduced to targeted exercises and begin building awareness of oral habits and muscle function.
   
• 2. Generalization Phase
  New movement patterns are practiced in everyday situations to reinforce correct function beyond structured exercises.
   
• 3. Habitual & Maintenance Phase
  The focus shifts to long-term integration, ensuring the new patterns are automatic and stable.
   

As a neuromuscular retraining program, OMT requires time, repetition, and commitment. Each phase builds on the last to support lasting improvements in function and posture.

Yes—myofunctional therapy can play a supportive role in improving sleep and breathing patterns. When the muscles of the tongue, lips, and face do not function properly, it can contribute to airway collapse, snoring, and sleep-disordered breathing.

OMT helps by:

• Promoting nasal breathing over mouth breathing
   
• Improving tongue posture to prevent obstruction of the airway
   
• Strengthening the muscles that support healthy airway function during rest
   

While OMT does not treat or diagnose medical sleep conditions, it is commonly used as part of a collaborative care plan for individuals experiencing snoring, upper airway resistance, or mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).  OMT may also support improved CPAP outcomes by encouraging adherence, enhancing orofacial function, and reinforcing complementary airway health strategies 

Sleep-disordered breathing should always be evaluated by a licensed medical provider. OMT is offered in coordination with your healthcare team to support optimal outcomes. 

No—Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy does not replace orthodontic or dental care, but it works alongside it. OMT addresses the underlying muscle patterns and habits that can interfere with treatment or lead to relapse.

By promoting proper tongue posture, lip seal, nasal breathing, and functional swallowing, OMT helps:

• Stabilize orthodontic results
   
• Support natural facial growth and development
   
• Prevent relapse by correcting the root cause of dysfunction
   

Many orthodontists and dentists recommend incorporating OMT into the treatment plan to optimize results and improve long-term stability.

Yes—myofunctional therapy is supported by growing clinical research. Studies show that OMT can improve orofacial function, promote healthier breathing patterns, and support better sleep quality.

When used as part of a collaborative care plan, OMT has been shown to:

• Reduce symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing
   
• Enhance nasal breathing and tongue posture
   
• Improve muscle coordination and oral function
   

A meta-analysis found that OMT can reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea by up to 50% in adults and 62% in children, especially when combined with other medical or dental treatments.¹

OMT is not a standalone treatment for medical conditions like obstructive sleep apnea and should be used in coordination with licensed healthcare providers. 

Absolutely. Myofunctional Therapy can be especially effective when introduced during a child’s growth and development. Early intervention supports proper oral function and helps guide healthy facial and airway development.

OMT can help address:

• Mouth breathing
   
• Tongue thrust and low tongue posture
   
• Atypical swallowing patterns
   
• Poor oral rest posture
   

By focusing on these foundational habits, therapy can contribute to:

• Improved nasal breathing and sleep quality
   
• Clearer speech articulation (in collaboration with SLPs)
   
• More balanced facial and jaw development
   
• Reduced risk of future orthodontic complications
   

Many parents report that their children experience better focus, easier breathing, and greater comfort with everyday functions like eating, sleeping, and speaking.

Tongue-tie (also called ankyloglossia) is a condition where the lingual frenulum—the band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth—is too short, tight, or restrictive. This can limit the tongue’s range of motion and affect essential functions like breathing, swallowing, speaking, and resting posture.

While some cases are noticed in infancy, many go undetected until later in life and may present as:

• Mouth breathing or low tongue posture
   
• Tongue thrust or difficulty swallowing
   
• Speech articulation issues
   
• TMJ discomfort, jaw fatigue, or neck tension
   
• Orthodontic relapse or narrow palate
   

How Myofunctional Therapy Helps:
Myofunctional therapy does not treat the restriction itself, but it plays a key role in:

• Pre-release preparation: Improving tongue awareness, range of motion, and muscle coordination
   
• Post-release support: Helping the tongue relearn its functional role in breathing, posture, and oral function
   
• Collaborative care: Therapy is typically provided alongside dentists, ENTs, or trained release providers for optimal results
   

This approach is supported by leaders in the field like Dr. Soroush Zaghi of The Breathe Institute, who emphasizes the importance of combining surgical precision with muscle retraining to ensure successful, long-term functional outcomes.

 Myofunctional Therapy | zaghimd 

Tongue thrust refers to a swallowing pattern where the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth during swallowing, speaking, or even at rest. This habit is often unintentional and can occur in both children and adults.

Signs of tongue thrust may include:

• Open bite or spacing between teeth
   
• Mouth breathing or low tongue posture
   
• Lisping or speech distortions
   
• Frequent lip strain or chin dimpling when swallowing
   
• Orthodontic relapse after braces
   

Why it matters:
When left unaddressed, tongue thrust can interfere with dental development, speech clarity, facial balance, and long-term stability of orthodontic results.

How Myofunctional Therapy Helps:
Myofunctional therapy targets the root cause by retraining the muscles of the tongue, lips, and face to:

• Develop proper oral rest posture (tongue up, lips sealed)
   
• Establish a healthy swallow pattern
   
• Improve muscle tone and coordination
   
• Support stable orthodontic outcomes and reduce relapse risk
   

Through structured exercises and habit correction, myofunctional therapy empowers individuals to restore proper function and eliminate the compensations caused by tongue thrust—often in collaboration with orthodontists, speech-language pathologists, or dental providers.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD) refers to dysfunction or pain in the jaw joint (TMJ) and the surrounding muscles that control jaw movement. TMJD can affect how you chew, speak, and even breathe, and may stem from muscular imbalances, clenching or grinding, structural issues, or compensatory habits.

Common signs and symptoms include:

• Jaw pain or clicking when opening or closing the mouth
   
• Facial muscle tension or fatigue
   
• Headaches, earaches, or neck/shoulder pain
   
• Limited jaw movement or locking
   
• Worn or damaged teeth from grinding (bruxism)
   

How Myofunctional Therapy Helps:
Myofunctional therapy supports TMJ health by addressing oral posture and muscle balance. Therapy is not a direct treatment for joint pathology but helps reduce strain on the system by promoting:

• Proper tongue posture (resting on the palate, not pushing against teeth or the floor of the mouth)
   
• Lip seal and nasal breathing, reducing overuse of jaw and facial muscles
   
• Balanced chewing and swallowing mechanics
   
• Habit elimination (such as clenching, bracing, or tongue thrusting)
   

When muscles are functioning correctly and resting in the right positions, tension is reduced, and healing is better supported—often in collaboration with dentists, physical therapists, or TMJ specialists.