Evaluations
We will begin services with an evaluation to determine the root cause of your or your child's myofunctional disorder. If you or your child has a tongue-tie, we will also determine if there is an impact, such as neck and shoulder tension, sleep difficulties, speech errors, eating-related challenges, etc.
Your myofunctional evaluation will include the following:
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Review of relevant medical or speech history
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Examination of the oral structures and function of the muscles
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Review of videos or observation of eating, drinking, and swallowing patterns
During the evaluation, you will be able to ask questions and discuss your concerns. We will also share our findings and discuss treatment options and any additional referrals we recommend.
Myofunctional Therapy
Orofacial myofunctional therapy typically begins around 4-5 years old. We also work with older children, teens, and adults to remediate orofacial myofunctional disorders.
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Our approach to myofunctional therapy will be personalized to each patient's specific goals. During our sessions, we will use combined activities such as games and crafts with drills, exercises, and patient education to meet the patient's goals.
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Home exercise programs are also an essential part of our therapy process. To progress adequately, at-home practice is required between sessions. Patients will be provided with exercises and strategies specifically targeting the areas we are working on in therapy. In addition, when working with pediatric patients, we will coach parents on how to work with their child between our sessions to support ongoing progress.


Signs & Symptoms of a Myofunctional Disorder
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Tongue-tie
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Breathing through your mouth instead of your nose
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Lips apart during the day and night
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Open mouth posture
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Restless sleep, snoring, teeth grinding, sleep apnea, poor quality sleep
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Bedwetting
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Drooling past the age of 2
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Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use
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Messy eating and trouble orally managing food
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Crooked teeth, open bite, orthodontic relapse
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Tongue resting low and forward in the mouth
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Speech sound errors
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Limited tongue movement
How Therapy Can Help
Myofunctional therapy treats the underlying cause of your challenges leading to lasting results. Benefits include:
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Prevention of orthodontic relapse
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Better facial symmetry
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Improved breathing
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Better sleep
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Jaw pain relief
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Straighter teeth
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Remediation of stubborn articulation disorders
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Improved overall health
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Eliminating thumb or finger sucking
Taking a Collaborative Approach
Myofunctional Therapy of Athens partners with a variety of other professionals to help our patients achieve success. These professionals may include ENTs, dentists, orthodontists, allergists, lactation consultants, chiropractors/bodyworkers, primary care physicians, and sleep specialists.
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By taking a collaborative approach to treating myofunctional disorders, we help our patients achieve long-term results.
Why Work With a Speech Pathologist Who Specializes in Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?
A Speech Pathologist who has earned certification in OMDs has received in-depth training in orofacial myofunctional disorders. To be certified, we undergo a rigorous certification process enabling us to understand oral structures and muscle function, identify root causes, and plan a meaningful treatment process to help our patient's progress.
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At Myofunctional Therapy of Athens, we proudly offer evidence-based treatment based on years of experience and training.
Before and After Myofunctional Photos




