Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a specialized, exercise-based program designed to retrain the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat. This therapy focuses on correcting improper habits and muscle patterns that affect how a person breathes, chews, swallows, and speaks. OMT works by establishing proper resting postures for the tongue, lips, and jaw, supporting optimal function of the entire orofacial complex. The goal is to create new, healthy muscle memory to replace long-standing dysfunctional patterns.
Defining Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) are atypical movement patterns involving the muscles of the face and mouth that interfere with normal growth, development, or function. These disorders often manifest as an improper resting tongue posture, where the tongue rests low and forward in the mouth instead of against the palate. This low posture can negatively influence the development of the jaws and dental alignment because the tongue exerts pressure on the surrounding structures.
Another common manifestation is a dysfunctional swallow pattern known as tongue thrust, where the tongue pushes against or between the front teeth during swallowing. This constant pressure from an improper swallow can contribute to dental issues like an open bite or an overjet. Chronic mouth breathing is also a significant OMD, frequently caused by an obstructed nasal airway due to issues like allergies or enlarged tonsils. When the mouth is habitually open, the tongue often drops, reinforcing the low resting posture and potentially contributing to sleep-disordered breathing.
Other observable symptoms include speech distortions, particularly a lisp involving the “s” and “z” sounds, and excessive drooling past the age of four. Prolonged oral habits, such as thumb or finger sucking and extended pacifier use, are known causes that encourage the development of these muscle imbalances. OMDs are essentially learned behaviors or compensations that must be addressed to stabilize the function and structure of the entire orofacial system.
The Mechanics of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy works on the principle of neuromuscular re-education, aiming to establish correct muscle function through specific, repetitive exercises. The therapy program is structured around four primary functional goals:
- Establishing a proper resting tongue posture.
- Achieving a complete lip seal.
- Ensuring habitual nasal breathing.
- Correcting the swallowing pattern.
The proper resting posture involves the tongue resting entirely against the roof of the mouth (palate), with the tip positioned just behind the upper front teeth.
To achieve these goals, a therapist prescribes individualized, targeted exercises designed to strengthen and coordinate the specific muscles of the face and tongue. These exercises may include tongue lifts to the palate, resistance training to improve lip strength for a proper seal, and swallowing drills to eliminate the forward tongue thrust.
The therapy aims to build muscle strength and fine-tune the awareness of facial movements, a process called proprioception. By consistently performing the exercises, the patient creates new neural pathways and muscle memory, which eventually makes the correct posture and function involuntary. Strengthening the tongue muscles can help maintain an open airway, which can improve outcomes for sleep-disordered breathing. Tools such as tongue depressors, small objects, or specialized oral appliances are sometimes incorporated to provide resistance or feedback during the exercises.
The Treatment Structure and Practitioner
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is typically provided by certified Myofunctional Therapists, who are often professionals with backgrounds in Speech-Language Pathology or Dental Hygiene who have completed specialized training in OMDs. These practitioners are trained to assess the complex interplay between the muscles, breathing patterns, and facial structure. The process begins with a comprehensive assessment to identify specific muscle weaknesses, improper habits, and any structural limitations.
Following the assessment, a patient enters the active treatment phase, which generally involves weekly or bi-weekly in-person or virtual sessions. The total duration of active therapy often ranges from several months to a year, depending on the severity of the OMD and the patient’s age. Patient compliance is essential, as the prescribed exercises must be performed daily for a specified duration, usually for a few minutes multiple times a day.
This consistent, daily commitment drives the neurological change required to establish new, permanent muscle patterns. The treatment concludes with a retention or maintenance phase, where the frequency of exercises is reduced to ensure the new muscle memory remains stable over time. OMT is often integrated with other treatments, such as orthodontics or sleep medicine, to ensure a holistic approach to correcting both the function and any resulting structural changes.