"In a few short months, we have seen a significant improvement. Her teeth have moved back together, her smile and face are straight and her speech is improving. Our therapist is very patient and kind and makes the therapy sessions enjoyable. We are all very happy with the results."
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Orofacial Myology is the study of normal and abnormal use of the muscles of the tongue, lips and the face. Muscles can affect the tooth alignment, speech production, chewing and swallowing. Orofacial myologists use myofunctional therapy, which are specialized exercises to establish correct functional activities of the tongue, lips, facial muscles and jaw. These exercises eliminate or greatly reduce:

• Drooling
• Lip biting
• Food chewing problems
• Facial muscular imbalance
• Open lips resting posture
• Abnormal tongue resting posture
• Articulation problems
• Tongue thrust

Children as young as four years old can benefit from a diagnostic session to determine if they can be helped with giving up thumb-sucking, prolonged use of a baby bottle or pacifier. Children of 7 or 8 are ofen mature enough to receive complete training. Children, teenagers and adults of all ages are capable of success in treatment. Many recent scientific studies have shown that treatment for orofacial myofunctional disorders can be 80 – 90% effective.

Research found an 81% prevalence of orofacial myofunctional disorders in children with speech and articulation problems.

To learn more about Orofacial Myology, visit http://www.iaom.com/.

Success Stories

Our daughter had a lisp which we thought nothing of and a space between the upper and lower teeth which we attributed to thumb sucking. Figuring that she needed braces, we went to the orthodontist and found out that she had a tongue thrust. We were shown how her tongue would thrust out the side of her mouth when she talked and swallowed and how it was moving our daughter's teeth and distorting her face. Thankfully, he was able to recommend The Therapy Team for orofacial myofunctional therapy. Our therapist is using various techniques for our daughter to practice at home to properly place her tongue in her mouth when speaking and swallowing. In a few short months, we have seen a significant improvement. Her teeth have moved back together, her smile and face are straight and her speech is improving. Our therapist is very patient and kind and makes the therapy sessions enjoyable. We are all very happy with the results.
-Carol D., Mother of Current Patient