Classic origins, fresh techniques

Orofacial myology began in the early 1900s, when dentists and speech pathologists noticed that habits like thumb sucking, mouth breathing and low tongue posture were linked to changes in facial growth, bite problems and speech.

From the 1960s onward, clinicians in the United States and Europe started to formalise “myofunctional therapy” – structured exercises to retrain tongue posture, lip seal and swallowing.

Professional bodies such as the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) and similar organisations have since developed education standards and clinical guidelines. Today, orofacial myology is a recognised, evidence‑informed therapy used alongside dentistry, orthodontics, ENT and speech pathology to support healthy oral function and facial growth.

Evidence for Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Research shows that orofacial myofunctional therapy can support better sleep and breathing by improving airway muscle tone and nasal breathing:

Studies in children and adults with obstructive sleep apnoea have found that myofunctional therapy can reduce apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI), snoring and daytime sleepiness when used alongside medical or dental treatment.
Exercises that promote nasal breathing, lip seal and correct tongue posture help stabilise the upper airway and may reduce mouth breathing and upper airway collapse during sleep.
In children, combining myofunctional therapy with treatments such as adenotonsillectomy or orthodontic expansion has been shown to help maintain nasal breathing and reduce relapse of sleep‑disordered breathing symptoms.

There is growing literature supporting the role of orofacial myology in everyday oral function and facial development:

Chewing and swallowing: Myofunctional therapy can correct tongue thrust and uncoordinated swallowing patterns, leading to more efficient chewing and safer, more mature swallowing.
Speech and oral control: By improving tongue strength, mobility and resting posture, therapy can support clearer articulation when used alongside speech pathology.
Orthodontic growth and development: Research links low tongue posture, open‑mouth posture and oral habits with narrow arches, open bites and crowding. Myofunctional therapy helps normalise tongue posture and lip function, which can support more stable orthodontic outcomes and reduce the risk of relapse.
Facial growth: Encouraging nasal breathing, proper tongue posture and balanced muscle function supports more harmonious maxillofacial growth in growing children.

References for Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy research. Ferrés-Amat E, Pastor-Vera T, Rodríguez-Alessi P, Ferrés-Amat E, Mareque-Bueno J, Ferrés-Padró E (2017). The prevalence of ankyloglossia in 302 newborns with breastfeeding problems and sucking difficulties in Barcelona: a descriptive study. European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, Dec;18(4):319-325. doi: 10.23804/ejpd.2017.18.04.10. Ferrés-Amat E, Pastor-Vera T, Rodríguez-Alessi P, Ferrés-Amat E, Mareque-Bueno J, Ferrés-Padró E (2016). Management of ankyloglossia and breastfeeding difficulties in the newborn: breastfeeding sessions, myofunctional therapy, and frenotomy. Case Reports in Pediatrics, 2016:3010594. doi:10.1155/2016/3010594 Messina G, Martines F, Thomas E, Salvago P, Fabris GBM, Poil L, Iovane A (2017). Treatment of chronic pain associated with bruxism through Myofunctional therapy. European Journal of Translational Myology, Jun 29;27(3):6759. doi: 10.4081/ejtm.2017.6759. eCollection 2017 Jun 27. Makino I, Arai YC, Aono S, Hayashi K, Morimoto A, Nichihara M, Ikemoto T, Inoue S, Mizutai M, Matsubara T, Ushida T (2014). The effects of exercise therapy for the improvement of jaw movement and psychological intervention to reduce parafunctional activities on chronic pain in the craniocervical region. Pain Practice, Jun;14(5):413-8. doi: 10.1111/papr.12075. Epub 2013 May 9. Machado BC, Mazzetto MO, da Silva MA, de Felicio CM (2016). Effects of oral motor exercises and laser therapy on chronic temporomandibular disorders: a randomized study with follow-up. Lasers in Medical Science, Jul;31(5):945-54. doi: 10.1007/s10103-016-1935-6. Epub 2016 Apr 16. Jiang X, Fan S, Cai B, Fang ZY, Xu LL, Liu LK (2016). Mandibular manipulation technique followed by exercise therapy and occlusal splint for treatment of acute anterior TMJ disk displacement without reduction. Shanghai Journal of Stomatology, Oct;25(5):570-573. Haggman-Henrikson B, Wiesinger B, Wanman A (2018). The effect of supervised exercise on localized TMD pain and TMD pain associated with generalized pain. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, Jan;76(1):6-12. doi: 10.1080/00016357.2017.1373304. Epub 2017 Sep 4. Villa MP, Evangelisti M, Martella S, Barreto M, Del Pozzo M (2017). Can myofunctional therapy increase tongue tone and reduce symptoms in children with sleep-disordered breathing? Sleep and Breathing, Dec;21(4):1025-1032. doi: 10.1007/s11325-017-1489-2. Epub 2017 Mar 18. Verma RK, Johnson J JR, Goyal M, Banumathy N, Goswami U, Panda NK (2016). Oropharyngeal exercises in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea: our experience. Sleep and Breathing, Dec;20(4):1193-1201. doi: 10.1007/s11325-016-1332-1. Epub 2016 Mar 18. Suzuki H, Watanabe A, Akihiro Y, Takao M, Ikematsu T, Kimoto S, Asano T, Kawara M (2013). Pilot study to assess the potential of oral myofunctional therapy for improving respiration during sleep. Journal of Prosthodontic Research, Jul;57(3):195-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jpor.2013.02.001. Epub 2013 Mar 20. Nemati S, Gerami H, Soltanipour S, Saberi A, Moghadam SK, Setva F (2015). The effects of oropharyngeal-lingual exercises in patients with primary snoring. European Archives Otorhinolaryngology, Apr;272(4):1027-1031. doi: 10.1007/s00405-014-3382-y. Epub 2014 Nov 5. Levrini L, Lorusso P, Caprioglio A, Magnani A, Diaferia G, Bittencourt L, Bommarito S (2014). Model of oronasal rehabilitation in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome undergoing rapid maxillary expansion: Research review. Sleep Science, 7(4):225-233. doi:10.1016/j.slsci.2014.11.002 Lee SY, Guilleminault C, Chiu HY, Sullivan SS (2015). Mouth breathing, "nasal disuse," and pediatric sleep-disordered breathing. Sleep and Breathing, Dec;19(4):1257-64. doi: 10.1007/s11325-015-1154-6. Epub 2015 Apr 16. Diaferia G, Santos-Silva R, Truksinas E, Haddad FLM, Santos R, Bommarito S, Gregorio LC, Tufik S, Bittencourt L (2017). Myofunctional therapy improves adherence to continuous positive airway pressure treatment. Sleep and Breathing, May;21(2):387-395. doi: 10.1007/s11325-016-1429-6. Epub 2016 Dec 2. de Felicio CM, da Silva Dias FV, Trawitzki LVV (2018). Obstructive sleep apnea: focus on myofunctional therapy. Nature and Science of Sleep, Sep 6;10:271-286. doi: 10.2147/NSS.S141132. eCollection 2018. Prado DG de A, Berretin-Felix G, Migliorucci RR, Beuno M da RS, Rosa RR, Polizel M, Teixeira IF, Gaviao MBD (2018). Effects of orofacial myofunctional therapy on masticatory function in individuals submitted to orthognathic surgery: a randomized trial. Journal of Applied Oral Science, 26:e20170164. doi:10.1590/1678-7757-2017-0164. Pereira, JBA & Bianchini EMG. (2011). Functional characterization and temporomandibular disorders before and after orthognathic surgery and myofunctional treatment of class II dentofacial deformity. Revista CEFAC, 13(6):1086-1094. doi: 10.1590/S1516-18462011000600015. Matsubara M, Tohara H, Hara K, Shinozaki H, Yamazaki Y, Susa C, Nakane A, Wakasugi Y, Minakuchi S (2018). High-speed jaw-opening exercise in training suprahyoid fast-twitch muscle fibers. Clinical Interventions in Aging, Jan 22;13:125-131. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S152821. eCollection 2018. Smithpeter J, Covell D Jr (2010). Relapse of anterior open bites treated with orthodontic appliances with and without orofacial myofunctional therapy. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, May;137(5):605-14. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2008.07.016 Saccomanno S, Antonini G, D’Alatri L, A’Angelantonio M, Fiorita A, Deli R (2012). Causal relationship between malocclusion and oral muscles dysfunction: a model of approach. European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, Dec;13(4):321-3. Moschik CE, Pichelmayer M, Coulson S, Wendl B (2015). Influence of myofunctional therapy on upper intercanine distance. Journal of Dental Health, Oral Disorders & Therapy, 3(1):1-7. doi: 10.15226/jdodt.2015.00135 Aizenbud D, Gutmacher Z, Teich ST, Oved-Peleg E, Hazan-Molina H (2014). Lip buccal mucosa traumatic overgrowth due to sucking habit - a 10-year follow-up of a non-surgical approach: a combination of behavioural and Myofunctional therapy. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, Nov;72(8):1079-83. doi: 10.3109/00016357.2014.913308. Epub 2014 Jun 16. Sugiyama T, Ohkubo M, Honda Y, Tasaka A, Nagasawa K, Ishida R, Sakurai K (2013). Effect of swallowing exercises in independent elderly. Bulletin of Tokyo Dental College, 54(2):109-15. Saccomanno S, Martini C, D’Alatri L, Farina S, Grippaudo C (2018). A specific protocol of myo-functional therapy in children with Down syndrome. A pilot study. European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, Sep;19(3):243-246. doi: 10.23804/ejpd.2018.19.03.14. Ray J(2001). Functional outcomes of orofacial myofunctional therapy in children with cerebral palsy. International Journal of Orofacial Myology, Nov;27:5-17. Pereira LM, Obara K, Dias JM, Menacho MO, Lavado EL, Cardoso JR (2011). Facial exercise therapy for facial palsy: systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation, Jul;25(7):649-58. doi: 10.1177/0269215510395634. Epub 2011 Mar 7. Oh JC (2016). A pilot study of the head extension swallowing exercise: new method for strengthening swallowing-related muscle activity. Dysphagia, Oct;31(5):680-6. doi: 10.1007/s00455-016-9732-8. Epub 2016 Jul 26. Oh DH, Won JH, Kim YA, Kim WJ (2017). Effects of jaw opening exercise on aspiration in stroke patients with dysphagia: a pilot study. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, Oct;29(10):1817-1818. doi: 10.1589/jpts.29.1817. Epub 2017 Oct 21. Kim HD, Choi JB, Yoo SJ, Chang MY, Lee SW, Park JS (2017). Tongue-to-palate resistance training improves tongue strength and oropharyngeal swallowing function in subacute stroke survivors with dysphagia. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, Jan;44(1):59-64. doi: 10.1111/joor.12461. Kang JH, Park RY, Lee SJ, Kim JY, Yoon SR, Jung KI (2012). The effect of bedside exercise program on stroke patients with dysphagia. Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, Aug;36(4):512-20. doi: 10.5535/arm.2012.36.4.512. Epub 2012 Aug 27. Byeon H (2016). Effect of orofacial myofunctional exercise on the improvement of dysphagia patients’ orofacial muscle strength and diadochokinetic rate. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, Sep; 28(9): 2611–2614. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.2611. Kent, R. D. (2015). Nonspeech oral movements and oral motor disorders: a narrative review. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 24(4), 763-789. doi: 10.1044/2015_AJSLP-14-0179 Bigenzahn W, Fishchman L, Mayrhofer-Krammel U (1992). Myofunctional therapy in patients with orofacial dysfunctions affecting speech. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 44(5):238-44.

What we do

Infant Consult

Infant screening helps us understand how your baby feeds and uses their mouth. We look closely at feeding habits, latch, oral motor function and sucking patterns, and assess for tongue, lip or cheek ties. This detailed picture lets us support early suck training and comfort, and work closely with other health professionals so your baby’s feeding and oral development are managed in a coordinated, gentle way.

Child Consult

Children’s consults are all about understanding how your child’s mouth and muscles are growing and working together in everyday life. We gently assess oral motor skills and check for tongue, lip or cheek ties that may affect jaw growth, speech sounds, chewing and swallowing. We also look at digestive issues, mouth breathing and sleep. This helps us create a practical plan and makes it easier to collaborate with your child’s other providers, such as ENT specialists, orthodontists and body workers. We tailer exercise based training to improve coordination, conditioning and oral function to help your child thrive as intended.

Adult Consult

Assessing and addressing oral dysfunction in adults is important because these issues often sit at the root of many ongoing symptoms. Problems such as jaw or facial pain, an ineffective swallow, digestive discomfort, headaches, ear symptoms and oral tethers can all be linked to how the mouth and muscles are working. By identifying restrictions in movement, we can support more comfortable function and help reduce the impact of these symptoms on daily life with exercise based training and hands on therapy.

TMD Consult

Temporo Mandibular Dysfunction (TMD) is a common cause of jaw pain, tension, limited opening, headaches, neck pain, eating difficulties and disrupted sleep. In a TMD consult, we take time to understand your symptoms, gently assess areas of tension and follow your pain patterns. Treatment usually includes soft, hands-on myofascial trigger point release to ease tight muscles, followed by simple tongue and jaw exercises to support easier movement, better breathing and longer‑lasting relief.

Breathing Rehab

Mouth breathing, hyperventilation and related breathing issues are very common, and many people don’t realise they have them. Approximately 50% of children who have ENT surgery never fully relearn how to use their nose to breathe. Central nervous system overload can also make breathing feel hard or shallow. We assess your breathing patterns and use Buteyko breathing therapy, with a strong focus on nasal and diaphragmatic breathing, to help retrain more effective breathing for better oxygenation and healthy growth.

Investment in Your Function

Breathing Rehabilitation (45 mins): $160
Infant Consultation (45 mins): $160
Child and Teen Consultation (45 mins): $180
Adult Consultation (45 mins): $180
TMD Consultation (45 mins): $180
Subsequent treatment (45 mins): $100

The number of sessions required is highly personal. Your journey depends on individual physiological needs, consistency in following home-based instructions, and mastering specific muscle-retraining skills. Typically, a functional retraining course ranges from 5 to 20 sessions, though we adjust this based on your unique progress and goals.

Unfortunately, myofunctional therapy is rarely recognised through health funds and therefore is charged at a set fee (no item numbers). Invoices can be used to claim when possible.