MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY
Healthy oral function promotes healthy growth and development.
What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) refers to training of the oral and facial musculature for the improvement of proper tone, mobility, and function. It helps restore proper function of the tongue and facial muscles by teaching proper positioning and movement to improve swallowing, speech, breathing, and resting position of the lips, tongue, and cheeks.
Myofunctional therapy can be a great adjunct to both speech therapy as well as orthodontic treatment. When an oral habit has contributed to a growth or bite imbalance, OMT can help retrain musculature to prevent relapse of a misaligned bite by helping stabilize your treatment results and improving a child’s oral awareness.
Myofunctional therapy can be a great adjunct to both speech therapy as well as orthodontic treatment. When an oral habit has contributed to a growth or bite imbalance, OMT can help retrain musculature to prevent relapse of a misaligned bite by helping stabilize your treatment results and improving a child’s oral awareness.
GOALS AND BENEFITS
Aims of Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy aims to:
- Improve tongue position and function
- Improve lip seal and function
- Improve swallowing
- Strengthen nasal breathing
- Promote balanced growth of jaws
- Improve speech
- Prevent relapse of a corrected bite
- Improve sleep-disordered breathing
Successful management of oral habits may require a team approach. The team may include a general or pediatric dentist, orthodontist, ear nose and throat physician (ENT), speech pathologist, and pediatrician.
Trusted Local Pediatric Myofunctional Therapists
- Carmel Speech & Myo (Carmel)
Led by Andrea Vogt, a Speech‑Language Pathologist and certified Orofacial Myologist
Offers child-centric therapy to address tongue thrust, oral habits, speech goals, and breathing patterns - Indy Myo (Indianapolis)
Directed by Hali Householder, RDH, COM, a specialist in pediatric myofunctional therapy
Focus areas include tongue‑tie, mouth breathing, chewing/swallowing, speech, jaw growth, and orthodontic prep/support
Offers both in-person and virtual appointments - Lisa Lahey, FNP-C, IBCLC (Carmel)
Led by Lisa Lahey, a nurse practitioner and international board certified lactation consultant who also specializes in orofacial myofunctional therapy. - Redwood Therapies (Indianapolis)
Led by Samantha Minich, Speech Pathologist (CCC-SLP), Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM) and Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
Offers both in-person & virtual sessions - It Takes A Village Myofunctional Therapy (Kokomo)
Led by Tina Reece RDH, COM, IBCLC, Myofunctional therapist and Lactation Consultant specializing in dysfunctions of the oral muscles
Offers both in-person & virtual sessions
Trusted Local Myofunctional Therapists for Adults
- Carmel Speech & Myo (Carmel)
Led by Andrea Vogt, a dual-certified Speech‑Language Pathologist & Certified Orofacial Myologist
In‑person therapy - Indy Myo (Indianapolis)
Founded by Hali Householder, Registered Dental Hygienist & Certified Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist
Offers both in‑person & virtual sessions - Pure Modern Wellness (Indianapolis)
Led by Dana Crook, an Orofacial Myologist and Dental Hygienist
Offers virtual therapy - Redwood Therapies (Indianapolis)
Led by Samantha Minich, Speech Pathologist (CCC-SLP), Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM) and Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
Offers both in-person & virtual sessions - It Takes A Village Myofunctional Therapy (Kokomo)
Led by Tina Reece RDH, COM, IBCLC, Myofunctional therapist and Lactation Consultant specializing in dysfunctions of the oral muscles
Offers both in-person & virtual sessions
Orofacial myofunctional therapy helps in harmonizing facial muscle function and provides training that helps with toning and resistance of the oral musculature.
Myofunctional therapy services can have a dramatic influence on growth, development, speech, eating, and overall health for those in need. It is important to understand that OMT is active training, the success of which depends on the motivation and compliance of children and their parents.
Learn more about the orthodontic treatments we offer
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