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What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional Therapy focuses on correcting improper function and muscle use in the orofacial area. This therapy addresses issues related to breathing, posture, chewing, swallowing, and speech, creating a healthy balance between orofacial structure and function.

Chrysalis Orofacial team working with a kid

Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs)
For Children, Teens, & Adults

According to Hanson (1982), Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) involve abnormal resting labial-lingual posture, atypical chewing and swallowing patterns, dental malocclusions, blocked nasal airways, and speech issues. These commonly present as tongue thrust, open mouth posture, lisping, mouth-breathing, bruxism, clenching, low tongue rest posture, and other maladaptive patterns. OMDs are multifaceted and require comprehensive assessment. At Chrysalis Orofacial, we focus on identifying the underlying causes of dysfunction and addressing individual needs.

  • ADD/ADHD

  • Bedwetting

  • Chapped lips

  • Crooked teeth

  • Dark circles under eyes

  • Daytime Drowsiness

  • Depression/Anxiety

  • Difficulty nasal breathing

  • Difficulty swallowing

  • Digestive Issues

  • Drooling

  • Enlarged tonsils

  • Fatigue

  • Frequent Ear Infections

  • Feeding difficulties

  • Headaches

  • Heart-shaped tongue

  • Long facial growth

  • Mouth always open

  • Poor sleep

  • Poor speech

  • Prolonged Oral habits (Thumb sucking, pacifier, etc)

  • Recessed chin

  • Relapse of Orthodontic Treatment

  • Snoring

  • Teeth Clenching

  • Teeth grinding

  • TMJ pain or jaw locking/popping

Speech pathology mom and daughter sticking tongue out at each other

Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy

Our therapy focuses on enhancing vital functions such as breathing, sleep quality, speech clarity, and efficient chewing and swallowing. Specializing in orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs), we employ tailored treatments that address the root causes, aiming to significantly improve clients' overall health. Whether it's correcting tongue thrust, improving oral habits, or managing conditions related to the mouth, our comprehensive approach ensures that every aspect of orofacial function is optimized for better daily living.

The Evaluation

In an evaluation (lasting about 90 minutes), our therapists conduct a thorough assessment of breathing, oral rest posture, chewing, swallowing patterns, and speech. A treatment plan will be tailored to the patient with recommendations and referrals as appropriate.

Infant  And Pediatric Feeding

Our clinicians specialize in infant and pediatric feeding services, from breastfeeding support to addressing picky eating and preventing myofunctional disorders in young children. We provide comprehensive evaluations and tailored treatment plans.

Infant Evaluation

Transitioning into life with a newborn is hectic, and the last thing you need is added stress from a baby who is having difficulty feeding. Whether you have concerns for breast feeding, bottle feeding or starting solids, our clinicians are here to help!
 

Our skilled therapists will complete a comprehensive evaluation reviewing past medical, developmental and feeding history. Our clinicians will observe your baby feeding, examine how the oral facial muscles are functioning and then visually assess the structures of the mouth, including the frenulum of the tongue, lips and cheeks. At the end of the evaluation, your therapist will go over findings with you and build a treatment plan to support your feeding and airway goals for your child. 

Pediatric Feeding Evaluation

During the initial assessment, clinicians will collect past medical and developmental history. We will ask about feeding history, how breast or bottle feeding went in infancy, if there was difficulty transitioning to solids as well as current eating habits and concerns.  Our clinicians will assess breathing patterns, oral rest posture, muscle function, and how the muscles work to eat and drink. Pictures and measurements will be taken throughout the evaluation to obtain a full picture of how your child is growing and developing. At the end of the evaluation, our clinicians will review findings with you and then make a treatment plan that supports feeding skills, airway health and orofacial growth and development.

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Good Faith Estimate

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have certain types of health care coverage or who are not using certain types of health care coverage an estimate of their bill for health care items and services before those items or services are provided.

 

  • You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any health care items or services upon request or when scheduling such items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

  • If you schedule a health care item or service at least 3 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 1 business day after scheduling. If you schedule a health care item or service at least 10 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after scheduling. You can also ask any health care provider or facility for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you do, make sure the health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after you ask.

  • If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more for any provider or facility than your Good Faith Estimate from that provider or facility, you can dispute the bill.


For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers, email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov, or call 1-800-985-3059.

Patient Resources

Patients, explore our resources below to learn more about important topics like sleep apnea, swallowing difficulties, tethered oral tissues, and more. These materials are designed to help you understand more about orofacial health.

Ready to book your next appointment?

Give us a call at: 864-383-8634

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