A significant part of the interest in myofunctional therapy stems from cosmetic concerns. This is particularly common among younger people, though it’s something I notice across all age groups. Many of us have aspects of our appearance we’d like to enhance. Oral myofunctional disorders can sometimes affect our appearance in less favorable ways. For instance, chronic mouth breathing can result in a longer, narrower face shape with flatter features, a smaller lower jaw, a less defined chin, or downturned corners around the eyes and mouth.

People of all ages often ask me if they can still experience health or appearance benefits from myofunctional therapy. There’s a common belief that this therapy is mostly suitable for young children because their facial structures and bones are still developing, which makes it easier for these structures to reshape under external influences like orthodontics or myofunctional therapy. However, I’ve seen many adults achieve transformative results through myofunctional therapy. In fact, most of my patients are adults who are motivated to improve their health and well-being.

While it might seem that our bone structure becomes fixed in adulthood, bone is actually always remodeling, which is why adults can heal broken bones and benefit from treatments like orthodontic expansion. With the right approach and patience, real changes are possible over time.

Myofunctional therapy, especially the transition from mouth breathing to nasal breathing, can have visible effects on facial and oral muscles. Structural changes in the jaw and face from therapy largely result from improved function and coordination of these muscles. I often compare it to physical therapy—but for the facial and oral muscles. Just as physical therapy can benefit people at any age, so too can myofunctional therapy.

While there can be cosmetic benefits, I focus more on the health improvements associated with correcting oral myofunctional disorders. For instance, a narrow face often signals a narrow airway, which can be linked to sleep-related breathing issues. Mouth breathing itself is a dysfunctional pattern that can lead to poor sleep quality. Dysfunctional patterns, like a low tongue posture or a tongue thrust swallow, can disrupt the body’s natural function.

These issues contribute to a range of health problems, such as sleep apnea, jaw pain, headaches, and even digestive issues. Addressing these root causes and restoring proper function can lead to significant improvements in health and quality of life. When I say it’s never too late for myofunctional therapy, I mean it’s never too late to pursue better health. While early intervention is ideal, as prevention is always preferable, making proactive health choices at any age is always worthwhile.

People with a tongue-tie often breathe through their mouth, which can result in a variety of myofunctional problems and symptoms. Common issues include chronic jaw pain, sleep apnea, facial pain, headaches, and teeth clenching or grinding, as well as dental and orthodontic concerns. Studies indicate that tongue-tied children have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea and airway problems, and their facial and cranial growth can also be affected.

Healthcare professionals treating tongue-ties often perform a minor surgical procedure to release the frenum, known as a frenectomy or frenulotomy. Traditionally, this has been done using a laser, scalpel, or scissors.

However, Dr. Soroush Zaghi, based in Los Angeles, has developed a more effective technique for releasing tongue-ties, yielding remarkable results for patients. Dr. Zaghi’s Breathe Institute describes his method of functional frenuloplasty as follows:

"We use a multidisciplinary approach for functional frenuloplasty, integrating myofunctional therapy (and occasionally craniosacral therapy) both before, during, and after the procedure. Our technique emphasizes precision: releasing just the right amount of tissue for optimal relief—not too much, and not too little. Using a scalpel or scissors avoids the thermal damage that lasers can cause and allows us to place sutures that promote healing by primary intention. We’ve found that leaving the wound open to heal without sutures (secondary intention) often leads to excessive scarring.”

Over the past few years, many of my patients have experienced excellent, lasting results from functional frenuloplasty with minimal reattachment. The number of doctors and dentists performing this procedure is increasing each month, expanding my referral network for tongue-tie releases.

Whether undergoing a functional frenuloplasty or a traditional frenectomy, the most critical factor in achieving a successful outcome remains the skill and experience of the practitioner performing the procedure.

The procedure to release a tongue-tie is commonly referred to as a frenectomy, although you might also hear it called by other names. A frenotomy or frenulotomy involves a small incision in the connective tissue under the tongue to release it from the floor of the mouth, typically performed on infants. A more extensive frenectomy, also known as a frenulectomy, frenuloplasty, or functional frenuloplasty, involves either removing or modifying the connective tissue beneath the tongue.

Frenectomy procedures are generally low-risk and are performed under local anesthesia. The procedure can be done using a laser, scalpel, or scissors. When a laser is used, a diamond-shaped wound forms under the tongue, which typically doesn't require sutures. However, if a scalpel or scissors are used, sutures are placed to promote proper healing. Healing usually takes one to two weeks, though it may take a bit longer. Pain is usually minimal and can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.4o mini

Did you know there are two types of tongue-ties? Anterior tongue-ties are the more noticeable of the two. They are easy to identify because your doctor can immediately see the restriction when you lift the tongue. In this case, the underside of the tongue is tightly attached to the floor of the mouth, limiting its movement.

On the other hand, posterior tongue-ties are not as immediately obvious. The restriction occurs in the back part of the tongue, not the front, and the limitation is different. Diagnosing a posterior tongue-tie can be challenging because other facial and mouth muscles often compensate for the restriction. One sign I look for is when the floor of the mouth lifts to help the tongue reach the roof of the mouth. Individuals with this type of tongue-tie may be able to extend their tongue far or place the front or entire tongue on the palate.

However, these compensatory movements can cause tension and pain throughout the neck, face, jaw, shoulders, and more. This can lead to issues like teeth grinding, clenching, TMJ dysfunction, postural problems, and even sleep apnea or other breathing difficulties during sleep. Babies with a posterior tongue-tie may also struggle with breastfeeding.

Teeth clenching or grinding can indicate an airway problem. When you stop breathing during sleep, your brain sends a signal to your mouth to clench or grind in an effort to keep the mouth open. This is often a sign of a tongue-tie, where the tongue rests too low in the mouth, falling back into the airway and blocking the flow of oxygen.

Because temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are complex, effectively managing and treating TMJ pain and related symptoms often requires a skilled, multi-disciplinary approach. A knowledgeable myofunctional therapist can play a key role in helping patients connect with the right doctors and specialists for TMD care. As a myofunctional therapist, part of my role is to guide patients to the specific healthcare professionals they need for their treatment team.

Over the years, I’ve developed a strong referral network, which enables me to recommend the most suitable doctor, dentist, orthodontist, or bodyworker based on the individual needs of my patients dealing with TMJ-related concerns.4o mini

• Jaw and facial discomfort, tightness, and stiffness

• Pain and tightness that extends into the neck, shoulders, and upper body

• Ear pain

• Difficulty hearing

• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

• Headaches

• Tooth pain

• Clicking or grinding sounds when opening the mouth, yawning, or chewing

• Teeth clenching and grinding

• Trouble opening the mouth wide or yawning

• Difficulty with chewing

• Jaw locking in the open position

• Dizziness

TMJ pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek my help. While it often begins as the main concern, many discover that their pain is actually a symptom of an underlying temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

TMD refers to any discomfort, pain, dysfunction, or tension related to the jaw, and is often referred to as TMJ syndrome. Determining the cause of TMD can be challenging, as there are many contributing factors, including but not limited to:

• Genetics

• Epigenetic changes

• Trauma

• Age-related degeneration

• Autoimmune conditions like arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

• Nutritional and dietary issues

• Chronic stress

• Postural and structural imbalances

• Tongue-tie

• Teeth clenching and grinding

• Improper chewing or swallowing habits

• Incorrect tongue posture and mouth breathing

• Malocclusion

• Consistently sleeping on one side

Any factor that impacts the functionality or structure of the temporomandibular joint can lead to TMJ dysfunction, causing pain, tension, and a variety of related symptoms.4o mini

We understand that healthcare costs can accumulate, but NW Myofunctional Therapy is an out-of-network provider and cannot directly bill insurance.

Choosing to work with an out-of-network provider offers greater transparency in treatment costs for both the patient and the provider. This allows us to focus on your needs instead of working under the constraints of insurance companies. Our pricing is clear from the start, with no hidden fees, co-pays, or premiums. At NW Myo, we prioritize working directly for our patients, not for insurance companies that control the time spent with you and what treatments are prioritized.

Our goal is to fully educate and empower you throughout our sessions, which isn’t always possible when following insurance guidelines. We also offer direct access to care, avoiding the need for multiple appointments, referrals, or waiting for insurance approvals.

We value your time and effort, so we aim to make our sessions as effective as possible, rather than spending time adhering to insurance codes.

We do provide a superbill at the midpoint and conclusion of treatment that you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement, though we cannot guarantee reimbursement. We understand that cost can be a concern, so we offer various treatment plans to suit different budgets.

Additionally, we accept FSA and HSA payments and provide the necessary receipts.