Sessions are one-on-one, typically 45–60 minutes, and may be conducted in person or via telehealth. Your therapist will guide you through targeted exercises, monitor your progress, and adjust the program as your muscle function improves. Between sessions, a short daily home practice (typically 5 minutes twice a day) reinforces the new neuromuscular patterns you're building.

Treatment typically spans six to twelve months. The timeline depends on the disorder being addressed, your consistency with home practice, and whether coordinated care with other providers (orthodontist, ENT, etc.) is involved.

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapists are healthcare professionals — commonly registered dental hygienists or speech-language pathologists — who have completed specialized training in orofacial myology. A comprehensive approach often involves collaboration across dental, medical, and therapeutic disciplines.

Yes. A landmark meta-analysis published in the journal SLEEP found that myofunctional therapy reduces the apnea-hypopnea index by approximately 50% in adults and 62% in children. Research also supports OMT as an adjunct to orthodontic treatment, tongue tie release, and TMJ therapy. See the Research page for a full reference library.

OMT aims to establish four key resting postures and functional patterns that form the foundation of orofacial health:

• Nasal breathing at rest and during sleep

• Lips resting comfortably closed

• Tongue resting on the roof of the mouth

• Correct swallowing pattern

• Teeth in light contact at rest

• Quiet, restful nasal breathing during sleep