resources
FAQs
Frequently Asked questions
What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
Treatment to create normal processes and healthy habits for orofacial and dental growth and development.
What does myofunctional therapy do?
Your head is the central core of your body and your positioning matters. Your tongue is located in the center of your head and if not right, can cause improper alignment. Myofunctional therapy creates correct head posture for health.
Who Can Provide Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
IAOM Certified Myofunctional Therapist and Licensed Dental Hygienist (or Speech Pathologist)
What is Clinical Oral Facial Massage?
Intra- and extra-Oral massage to release the tongue, palate and open up the sinuses to relieve tension in head, neck, shoulders and ears.
Is COFM Painful?
It is a safe and effective technique that works on muscles inside the mouth. It can often feel intense, however it is not typically painful. Since it deals with muscles that are rarely touched, they may feel sensitive to start.
Is Clinical Oral Facial Massage a Medical Massage?
The Clinical Oral Facial Massage, known as COFM, can be considered a Medical Massage. it is designed to loosen the fascia under the tongue and opens the breathing airway and helps eliminate tension.
Chewing and open bite
What Causes an Open Bite?
Open bite can be caused by multiple factors including habits such as finger or thumb sucking, pacifier use and other harmful habits.
What is a Tongue Thrust?
When the tongue protrudes through the teeth during swallowing, speech or while tongue is at rest.
What Causes Improper Chewing
Can be caused due to inability to keep lips closed, restricted lip and tongue frenums, mouth breathing, and poor occlusion.
Pain and Tension
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ can be related to factors such as loss or wear of the teeth, unilateral chewing or mouth breathing and bad habits including nail biting, grinding or clenching. TMJ is more commonly found in women then in men.
What are TMJD Symptoms?
Typical symptoms include jaw discomfort or soreness, headaches, pain spreading behind the eyes, neck or back or jaw clicking.
How TMJ Treated?
Two of the best methods to treat TMJ are Myofunctional Therapy and Clinical Oral Facial massage. They are the least invasive methods to release TMJ discomfort.
Frenectomy
When Should Tongue-tie be treated?
If not treated as an infant, frenectomies can be performed at any age to improve proper tongue placement and lip closure.
What is a Frenectomy?
A minimally invasive procedure performed by your provider to release oral facial restrictions, followed by a short recovery period. A Typical frenectomy can usually be performed quickly and with nominal discomfort.
How Does a Frenectomy Improve Your Smile?
Frenectomies can help reduce gummy smiles, minimize recession, and in addition aid in achieving proper occlusion.
Infant massage
What is Infant Oral Massage?
Intraorally relieves tension of the frenums, opening the sinuses and balancing the TMJ for better range of motion and latching.
Why is infant massage needed?
Aids in achieving proper tongue rest posture to promote facial development and eases the difficulty of breast feeding or latching to ensure complete feedings and alleviation of other symptoms.
When is the best time to get an Infant Massage?
If latching is painful or difficult for mom or baby, to assess ties prior to frenum release, or post-operatively to aid in healing.
