Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) focuses on muscles of the face and mouth and teaches clients how to breathe, posture, swallow, and speak correctly.  Its main focus is creating a healthy balance between orofacial structure and function. When these functions are impaired, an  Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD) exists.

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The goal of OMT is to help ensure proper oral rest posture which means you have your tongue resting on the roof of your mouth with teeth slightly open and lips sealed while utilizing nasal breathing.  We should be using proper oral rest posture at all times unless eating, drinking or talking.     

 

What is an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD)?

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Hanson (1982) defined OMDs as “abnormal resting labial-lingual posture of the orofacial musculature, atypical chewing and swallowing patterns, dental malocclusions, blocked nasal airways, and speech problems.”  This commonly manifests as tongue thrust, open mouth posture, lisping, mouth-breathing, bruxism, clenching, low tongue rest posture and other maladaptive orofacial patterns.  OMDs are complex in nature and often involve many areas.  Chrysalis Orofacial is interested getting to the bottom of why dysfunction is occurring and then addressing those specific needs.

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OMDs affect all ages and can have a different impact on an individual’s quality of life based on the severity of the disorder and time left untreated.  A few examples of untreated OMDs include:

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         Poor sleep                                                                                           Snoring

         Headaches                                                                                          TMJ pain or jaw locking/popping

         Prolonged Oral habits (Thumb sucking, pacifier, etc)                 Feeding difficulties

         Poor speech                                                                                        Mouth always open

         Drooling                                                                                               Chapped lips

         Crooked teeth                                                                                    Long facial growth

         Recessed chin                                                                                     Heart-shaped tongue

         Enlarged tonsils                                                                                  Difficulty nasal breathing

         Dark circles under eyes                                                                     Difficulty swallowing

         Teeth grinding                                                                                     Bedwetting

         Frequent Ear Infections                                                                    Digestive Issues

         Depression/Anxiety                                                                           Fatigue

         Daytime Drowsiness                                                                          ADD/ADHD

         Teeth Clenching                                                                                 Relapse of Orthodontic Treatment

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What Happens During an Evaluation?

 

Please complete all patient intake information online prior to arriving for the evaluation through the portal link emailed to you. Evaluations typically last 1-1.5 hours and will provide an in-depth functional assessment of breathing, oral rest posture, chewing and swallowing patterns, and speech. This evaluation typically includes a review of health history and symptoms, photo documentation, measurements, orofacial movement tasks, and observations.  Our therapists will take the information from health history/symptoms and help connect the dots with the results of the evaluation.  Referrals and recommendations will then be made as appropriate.

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