Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Working With The Muscles Of The Lips, Tongue, Cheeks And Face
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is a highly effective individualized program used to treat incorrect patterns of muscle functions used for swallowing, breathing and chewing to help maintain a healthy orofacial environment. ​​
​​It aims to support proper growth and development of the orofacial complex, stabilize dental and/or orthodontic treatment, help improve the production of speech patterns and sounds, and it can even enhance a person’s appearance.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Working With The Muscles Of The Lips, Tongue, Cheeks And Face
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is a highly effective individualized program used to treat incorrect patterns of muscle functions used for swallowing, breathing and chewing to help maintain a healthy orofacial environment. ​​
​​It aims to support proper growth and development of the orofacial complex, stabilize dental and/or orthodontic treatment, help improve the production of speech patterns and sounds, and it can even enhance a person’s appearance.
WHAT ARE OMDs?
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) are "Patterns involving oral and orofacial musculature that interfere with normal growth, development, or function of orofacial structures. OMDs can be found in children, adolescents, and adults.
OMDs can co-occur with a variety of speech and swallowing disorders.
OMD may reflect the interplay of learned behaviors, physical/structural variables, genetic and environmental factors."
(Maspero, Prevedello, Giannini,
Galbiati, & Farronato, 2014) www.asha.org
CHILDREN & ADULTS WITH OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL DISORDERS (OMDs) MAY STRUGGLE WITH:
- Mouth Breathing
- Snoring & Sleep Apnea
- Malocclusion
- Speech Impediments
- Tongue Thrust
- Picky / Messy Eating
- Improper Swallow
- Poor Posture
- Oral Habits (digit sucking, pacifier use after certain age, etc.)
- Drooling
- Low Tongue Posture
WHAT ARE OMDs?
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) are "Patterns involving oral and orofacial musculature that interfere with normal growth, development, or function of orofacial structures. OMDs can be found in children, adolescents, and adults.
OMDs can co-occur with a variety of speech and swallowing disorders.
OMD may reflect the interplay of learned behaviors, physical/structural variables, genetic and environmental factors."
(Maspero, Prevedello, Giannini,
Galbiati, & Farronato, 2014) www.asha.org
CHILDREN & ADULTS WITH OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL DISORDERS (OMDs) MAY STRUGGLE WITH:
- Mouth Breathing
- Snoring & Sleep Apnea
- Malocclusion
- Speech Impediments
- Tongue Thrust
- Picky / Messy Eating
- Improper Swallow
- Poor Posture
- Oral Habits (digit sucking, pacifier use after certain age, etc.)
- Drooling
- Low Tongue Posture
WHAT CAUSES OMDs?
Nasal Airway Interference - enlarged tonsils, adenoids, hypertrophied turbinates, and/or allergies. Anything that obstructs the nasal passages that will lead to mouth breathing.
Genetic Defects - like tongue ties, cleft palate, craniofacial abnormalities, and syndromes.
Oral Habits - digit sucker, extended pacifier and bottle use.
Diet - some research suggests that refined sugars and high processed foods have caused underdevelopment craniosacral structures
WHAT INFLUENCES OPTIMAL FACIAL & AIRWAY DEVELOPMENT?
HUMAN ANATOMY | Structures & Their Functions
JAWS
LIPS / CHEEKS
TONGUE FUNCTION & POSTURING
SWALLOWING PATTERNS
CHEWING PATTERNS
WHAT CAUSES OMDs?
Nasal Airway Interference - enlarged tonsils, adenoids, hypertrophied turbinates, and/or allergies. Anything that obstructs the nasal passages that will lead to mouth breathing.
Genetic Defects - like tongue ties, cleft palate, craniofacial abnormalities, and syndromes.
Oral Habits - digit sucker, extended pacifier and bottle use.
Diet - some research suggests that refined sugars and high processed foods have caused underdevelopment craniosacral structures
WHAT INFLUENCES OPTIMAL FACIAL & AIRWAY DEVELOPMENT?
HUMAN ANATOMY
Structures & Their Functions
JAWS
LIPS / CHEEKS
TONGUE FUNCTION & POSTURING
SWALLOWING PATTERNS
CHEWING PATTERNS
MEET
THE BREATHE MYO TEAM
Sanda Valcu-Pinkerton
RDHAP, Therapy Director, COM®
Maryam Norouz
RDH, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Kathy Soto
RDH, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Lesley Kupiec
RDH, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Anna Gross
CCC-SLP, Oral, Motor, & Feeding
Stephanie Estrada
RDH, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Pareya Dorri
RDH, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Sandraluz Gonzalez
RDH, Myofunctional Therapy
Sanda Valcu-Pinkerton
RDHAP, Therapy Director, COM®
Anna Gross
CCC-SLP, Oral, Motor, & Feeding
Maryam Norouz
RDH, Myofunctional Therapy
Lesley Kupiec
RDH, Myofunctional Therapy
