What is myofunctional therapy?
“Myo” means muscle, and “functional” means how those muscles work. Myofunctional therapy is a program of simple exercises and new habits that retrains your tongue, lips, cheeks, and face muscles.

Your tongue has a natural resting spot: gently up against the roof of your mouth, with your lips closed and your breathing through your nose. Many people never learned this, or lost it over time. When the tongue rests low or pushes forward, it can affect how you breathe, how you sleep, how your jaw feels, and where your teeth sit. Therapy teaches your muscles to hold the right position and work the right way until it becomes automatic.

Why have i never heard of Myofunctional Therapy before?

Orofacial Myofucntional Therapy (OMT) is not a “new” concept, but it is probably something that you are just learning about. Literature dates back to the late 1800 supporting facial and airway development . In recent years, OMT has gained significant attention and popularity, primarily driven by a notable rise in the publication of validated research studies supporting its efficacy.

How do I know if I need it?
Some common signs are snoring, breathing through your mouth, waking up with a dry mouth or sore jaw, jaw clicking or pain, grinding or clenching your teeth, frequent headaches, neck and shoulder tension, or teeth that shift back after braces. In kids, it can look like open-mouth sleeping, restless nights, thumb sucking, or trouble chewing. If any of this sounds familiar, the free call is a good way to find out whether therapy makes sense. If it doesn’t, I’ll tell you honestly.

Is it a replacement for medical or dental care?
No. It works alongside your doctor, dentist, orthodontist, or surgeon, not in place of them. I don’t diagnose medical conditions. If I notice something that needs a doctor’s attention, I’ll let you know and help you find the right provider.

How it works

What happens on the free call?
It’s a short, relaxed phone or video chat, about [15 or 20] minutes. You tell me what’s going on and what you’d like to change. I explain how therapy might help, what the process looks like, and what it costs, and you can ask anything.

What happens at the first visit?
This is a 60 to 90 minute video visit, and it’s the most important appointment, because it’s how I build your plan. We’ll go through your health history and symptoms in detail, talk about what you’ve already tried, and look at any photos you send. I’ll also check how your tongue, lips, and jaw move and rest, and how you breathe and swallow.

By the end, you’ll leave with a clear step-by-step plan, a recommended program, and any referrals I think you need, such as a dentist, ENT, or sleep doctor. The visit is $150.

What’s in the therapy kit, and why do I need it?
After your first visit, I send you a kit with the tools you’ll use at home. The tools make the exercises easier to do correctly and help you see your own progress.

What does a therapy session look like?
Sessions are on video, 30 to 45 minutes each. We start by reviewing how your practice went and what you noticed. Then I teach you the next exercise, watch you do it, and correct it as we go, since small details make a big difference. I finish by giving you a plan for the weeks ahead. Sessions are usually every 2 to 3 weeks.

How much do I need to practice at home?
10 minutes a day is the daily commitment! This matters more than anything else. Sessions teach you what to do, but the real change happens through everyday practice. Short, regular practice works better than long, occasional practice. I’ll give you tips to fit it into your routine.

Do the exercises hurt?
They shouldn’t. Your muscles may feel tired or sore at first, like when you start any new exercise. If anything feels painful, tell me, and we’ll adjust the plan.

Timeline and results

How long does it take?
Most adults take about 4 to 8 months and most children about 3 to 6, but there’s no set number. It depends on your concerns, how consistently you practice, your age, and whether you’re also seeing other providers. Your plan will give you a realistic estimate, and we’ll update it as we go.

When will I notice a difference?
Some people notice small changes in the first few weeks, such as easier nose breathing or less jaw tension. For others, it takes longer. Changes tend to build gradually as the new habits settle in. We’ll check your progress regularly so you can see what’s improving.

What results can I expect, and what if I don’t improve?
Many clients report better sleep, easier nose breathing, less teeth grinding and jaw tension, and teeth that stay put after braces. Results vary and I can’t guarantee any specific outcome. If progress stalls, we’ll look at why together, which could mean adjusting the plan or bringing in another provider. If I think therapy isn’t the right fit, I’ll tell you.

Cost and logistics

Does insurance cover myofunctional therapy?

Usually not, and I want to explain why so it doesn’t feel like a mystery.

Myofunctional therapy is a specialized service, and there isn’t a billing code created specifically for it. Because of that, insurance plans don’t have a clear category to pay for it under. This isn’t a reflection of whether it works or whether you need it. It’s a gap in how insurance is set up.

I’ve chosen to run my practice without billing insurance, and here’s what that means for you:

• More time with you. I’m not limited by what a plan will approve, so your plan is built around your needs, not around what gets authorized.
• No waiting on approvals. You won’t wait weeks for a claim decision before you can start, and you won’t be surprised by a denial after the fact.
• A clear price from the start. You know the cost of each step before you begin. There are no hidden fees or surprise bills.
• Lower costs overall. Handling claims is a job in itself. By skipping that, I can keep my prices lower than they’d otherwise be.

Is therapy online? What do I need?
Yes, everything is done on video, so there’s no driving and it fits into a busy schedule. You’ll need a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera, a steady internet connection, and a quiet spot with good lighting. I’ll email you a link before each session. I currently work with clients all over the united state! But if you are local to Oregon City, Oregon, there is an option to meet in person if needed.