No, it has been around for a very long time, but new research has broadened our understanding of myofunctional therapy and how it can contribute to your overall health and help minimize costly medical and dental problems related to myofunctional impairments down the road.

Myofunctional therapy services are delivered both IN-PERSON and ONLINE. Simple Practice software provides:

• Fully paperless intakes with electronic signatures for important documents.
• 100% HIPAA compliant secure messaging and telehealth
• Ability to see and request appointments with a click of a button
• Payment with a credit card using Stripe in the secure client portal
• Ability to upload photos, videos and important documents directly to your file
• A unique telehealth link sent directly to your e-mail allows you to join the appointment with your tablet, smartphone or laptop by simply clicking on the link (tablet and smartphone users must download the Telehealth by Simple Practice app). Good webcam capabilities and good internet are the only things necessary!

I am very passionate about helping my clients understand the common root causes of many of the symptoms you may be experiencing, and I make it a priority to spend extra time with each of my patients to make sure they are comfortable, understand the process of myofunctional therapy and get great value from the quality services I provide.

When you are referred to me from other providers (orthodontist, dentist, ENT or other medical provider, chiropractor, physical therapist or craniosacral therapist, etc.), I work closely with them during your treatment so that they are made aware of your progress as well as any further issues that may need to be addressed. If you have found me on your own, I work diligently to research providers in your area and help you assemble a team of professionals according to your unique needs.

The answer to this question varies depending on the severity of issues. Patient compliance with the recommended treatment plays a key role in making progress towards achieving the goals of therapy. On average you can expect between 12 and 24 sessions.  A more accurate timeline can be established at the time of your comprehensive exam.

I charge $100.00/session.

A FREE 30 minute consultation can help you to decide if you may need myofunctional therapy, and a comprehensive exam can help to identify your specific needs. Myofunctional therapy is a natural, proven therapy that can help save you money down the road by addressing the root of many health and dental problems related to improper tongue and mouth posture, improper swallowing and mouth breathing. Costly issues such as relapsed orthodontics, as well as health problems related to obstructive sleep apnea and mouth breathing are only a few of the areas in which myofunctional therapy can help!

Please answer the following questions to see if you may have a myofunctional disorder. If you answer "yes" to any of the questions, please consider scheduling a comprehensive exam with me.

Assessment Questions

1. Were you bottle fed?

2. Did you suffer from latching issues, colic, acid reflux, “spitting up” a lot, feeding troubles, ear infections or “failure to thrive” as an infant?

3. Have you had your tonsils removed or have you been told your tonsils are enlarged?

4. Do you notice that your mouth is open at rest (even occasionally)?

5. Do you breathe through your mouth?

6. Have you experienced any breathing issues or difficulties? (chronic congestion, asthma, seasonal allergies)

7. Do you take medications to help “manage” the breathing problems but never seem to find the root cause?

8. Have you had (or has it been recommended to have) nasal surgery for: deviated septum, polyps, turbinate reduction or any other condition?

9. Does your tongue rest anywhere other than entirely on the roof of your mouth?

10. Has anyone ever told you that you have a tongue thrust?

11. Have you experienced any issues with digestion?(stomach aches, burping, gas, acid reflux, etc.)

12. Do you notice that you have a hyperactive gag reflex? Texture sensitivity?

13. Do you have difficulty swallowing pills?

14. Does it ever feel difficult to breathe and chew food at the same time?

15. Did you suck your thumb/finger/blanket or other object or have a pacifier for an extended period when you were young?

16. Have you ever had braces and experienced a relapse in treatment?

17. Have you ever had palatal expansion, teeth extracted to “make room” or headgear?

18. Has anyone ever told you that you may be tongue-tied?

19. Have you ever had trouble with speech or been in a speech therapy program?

20. Do you suffer from chronic headaches, neck and shoulder tension, TMJ pain/tension?

21. Do you clench and grind your teeth?

22.  Do you snore?

23.  Do you wake still feeling tired? Do you suffer from general fatigue and never feeling rested?

24.  Have you had a sleep study done or been diagnosed with sleep apnea or UARS?

25.  Do you have a forward head posture?

26. Do you suffer from inattention or hyperactivity?

Yes, I address issues such as prolonged pacifier use, nail biting and thumb/object sucking and help you learn how these can be related to problems with tongue thrust and other swallowing issues, mouth breathing and deficient craniofacial growth. I even have a motivational program for both kids and adults to help them eliminate these habits!

Breast feeding stimulates the proper functioning  and growth of the structures of the mouth and the face and can reduce the future risk of breathing, swallowing, eating and speaking problems.

Eating, especially breast feeding and eating hard, crunchy foods, helps to stimulate the proper functioning and growth of the structures of the mouth and the face. This proper growth and functioning is critical to developing proper speech habits.

Over time, our modern diet has moved away from hard, crunchy foods (think jerky, raw vegetables & nuts) that require the muscles of the mouth to work hard and towards a softer diet (think yogurt, smoothies & overcooked vegetables) that require little, if any, chewing. As a result, high, narrow palates and weak oral/facial musculature are far more common than in the past. Conversely, a strong tongue that properly rests against the palate helps naturally expand the palate over time in growing children and teens.

Mouth breathing causes us to suck in excessive air when we are eating, which can lead to heartburn, reflux and stomach upset. In addition, those suffering from sleep apnea or sleep disordered breathing are experiencing periodic drops in their blood oxygen levels, essentially putting their body into a near constant "fight or flight" mode while they are sleeping. When this occurs, oxygen (necessary for proper digestion) is diverted away from the gastrointestinal organs, slowing the digestive process and contributing to constipation and other GI problems.

ADHD is a multifaceted diagnosis with many factors that can contribute to the symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity. One often overlooked cause of inattention and hyperactivity can be a deficit of quality sleep. Many children with deficient palatal growth suffer from mouth breathing due to restricted nasal airways and/or enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Some children also suffer from undiagnosed sleep apnea, which prevents them from getting a good night's sleep and contributes to health issues. If your child suffers from inattention or hyperactivity, consider that inadequate quality sleep may be contributing to their symptoms, and in this situation, myofunctional therapy can help!

Anything that drives the tongue low in the mouth instead of allowing it to rest against the palate will encourage a low and forward tongue resting posture, which in turn can inhibit proper craniofacial and nasal airway development, encourage a dysfunctional swallow pattern, and lead to other oral myofunctional disorders or OMD’s.

If you or your team are interested in learning more about myofunctional therapy and the treatment approach and therapy plans I offer, are wondering how we can work together or are wanting pamphlets or business cards to distribute in your office, please call or e-mail me, and I would love to help! I also offer a free "Lunch & Learn" educational presentation to help you and your office team learn more about myofunctional therapy and have an opportunity to ask questions. Lunch is on me!