What is it?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is bascially physical therapy for your mouth. The goals of therapy are to establish coordinated muscle movements in the face/mouth and to eliminate improper postures, compensations, and muscle bracing. When the tongue, lips, and facial muscles are working properly with no compensatory movements, the teeth naturally align in a more aesthetic and straight position, and the jaws develop in a forward position which leads to the proper development of the upper airway.
Benefits
Patients of all ages can benefit from OMT. Those who have an open bite, open mouth posture (mouth breathing), tongue-tie, snoring, etc. are all great candidates for myofunctional therapy. OMT assists orthodontic treatment and aids in maintaining a beautiful smile once braces are removed. OMT is also essential before and after a functional frenuloplasty is performed.
4 Goals of OMT
- Establish exclusive nasal breathing all day and night
- Proper tongue posture (entire tongue in the roof of the mouth)
- Proper lip seal
- Establish correct swallow mechanics
Meet Courtney Ray, OMT
Our Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist
Courtney has worked with Dr. Annie since 2021. Becoming an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist has opened her eyes to so many issues with her own health and is leading her on her own journey of self-care in hopes of being able to connect with her patients better.
Courtney keeps up with her education in the “Myofunctional Therapy World” on a regular basis by continuously looking for Airway-related continuing education courses and content.
She is excited to help patients develop proper breathing technique, establish correct tongue position, and rehabilitate intended facial muscle function by teaching them myofunctional therapy exercises.
Courtney looks forward to sharing her knowledge with her patients, spreading the word on the many benefits of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy and improving their breathing, facial development, and overall quality of life.