Information

Myofunctional Therapy and Pediatric Dental Care

• The Role of Myofunctional Therapy in Pediatric Dentistry: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19424396.2024.2400418fbclid=IwY2xjawFRjflleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfWLb_6Hwzo1OIM6rNivClIGx0PdyLiXCv5o6xuFRtKEwGObijIJByTMcg_aem_IHGQADFIzLTvLcH4ZC2k8w#abstract
   

• Establishment of nasal breathing should be the ultimate goal to secure adequate craniofacial and airway development in children: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021755717308318?via%3Dihub
   

• Mouth breathing, "nasal disuse," and pediatric sleep-disordered breathing: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25877805/
   

• The negative effect of mouth breathing on the body and development of the child: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16881376/

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Myofunctional Therapy and Atypical Swallow (also called: Tongue Thrust Swallow)

• Research study showing effectiveness of myofunctional therapy in correcting atypical swallow: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32367149/

• A Meta Study evaluating the effectiveness of myofunctional therapy for adults with atypical swallow: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7522100/

• Impact of Oral Myofunctional Therapy on Orofacial Myofunctional Status and Tongue Strength in Patients with Tongue Thrust: https://karger.com/fpl/article-abstract/73/5/413/819870/Impact-of-Oral-Myofunctional-Therapy-on-Orofacial?redirectedFrom=fulltext

 

Myofunctional therapy and sleep apnea

• Research study on effectiveness of Oral Myofunctional Therapy on snoring & sleep apnea: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25950418

• Medical Review article on using Oral Myofunctional Therapy to treat sleep apnea: https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/57/4/323/htm

• Research study on Oral Myofunctional Therapy to treat sleep disordered breathing in children: https://www.sleep.theclinics.com/article/S1556-407X(14)00025-3/abstract

• Case report on Oral Myofunctional Therapy used to treat upper airway resistance syndrome: https://aomtinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Case-Report-UARS-Myofunctional-Therapy-12.2015-Correa.pdf

• Research paper on effect of oral pharyngeal muscle exercises to treat mild - moderate sleep apnea: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcdt.2016.08.014

• Systemic Review and meta analysis on using Myofunctional Therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnea: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4402674/

• Systemic review and meta analysis on using myofunctional therapy to treat snoring: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00405-017-4848-5

• Effect of sleep disordered breathing in children. Sleep disordered breathing is associated with daytime problematic behaviors, hyperactivity, and emotional difficulties: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3313633/

• Meta analysis of effect of myofunctional therapy on obstructive sleep apnea: PDF

• The Role of Myofunctional Therapy in Treating Sleep-Disordered Breathing: A State-of-the-Art Review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8306407/?fbclid=IwAR2vYuZsNA_IbszW7vPywe5gciPWoX2IAH4J5SsgDD-yM0qADBMREkpsuDA

• Effect of myofunctional therapy on children with obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945720303555?via%3Dihub

• Review of benefits of myofunctional therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnea either as a stand alone treatment or in conjunction with other treatments: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8066493/

• A systematic review of literature on the effectiveness of myofunctional therapy on reduction of snoring: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00405-017-4848-5

• Research study discussing the benefits of nasal breathing re-education and myofunctional therapy on all 4 types of sleep apnea: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/3/471?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&_kx=X9D2MLn_MXCiVsvvvQmCDcnp5TzPSpTyJtffCemi8OY.Wd8SrD

• How Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Can Aid in the Treatment of Sleep-Disordered Breathing: https://sleepworldmagazine.com/2024/08/16/how-orofacial-myofunctional-therapy-can-aid-in-the-treatment-of-sleep-disordered-breathing

• Efficacy of myofunctional therapy for obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and network meta-analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40716836

• Hyoid slump hypothesis: A rational approach to understanding obstructive sleep apnea and related airway disorders: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306987725001483?via%3Dihub=

• Effects of orolingual myofunctional therapy on snoring–a randomized controlled trial: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/00016489.2025.2541603?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed&fbclid=IwVERDUAMl8hJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHhUkI9Hyrtl74bsZ3glefpUeK_12P7HNQZiAvpD-9d_DOmJE-DkDUYxBcVZR_aem_GfhvfnPvCNeSj6rtQniiJg#abstract

• Tongue posture and breathing affects facial growth and sleep apnea (By: Christian Guilleminault): https://www.sleep.theclinics.com/article/S1556-407X(18)30098-5/abstract

• Short Lingual Frenulum and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children: https://joymoeller.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Short-Frenulum-Pediatric-OSA-Myofunctional-Therapy-JPR-4.2015-1.pdf

• Effects of Oropharyngeal Exercises on Patients with Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.200806-981OC

• Myofunctional Therapy to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article-abstract/38/5/669/2416863

• Apraxia in children and adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article-abstract/42/12/zsz168/5580770

• Towards Restoration of Continuous Nasal Breathing as the Ultimate Treatment Goal in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea: https://joymoeller.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Guilleminault-OMT-Oral-Breathing-2014-pediatrics-neonatal-biology-001-1.pdf

• Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea and the critical role of oral-facial growth: evidences: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2012.00184/full

• Orofacial motor functions in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea and implications for myofunctional therapy: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165587616302762

• Myofunctional Therapy A Novel Treatment of Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing: https://tonguethrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2016-Joy-Gelb-Pediatric-Sleep-Disordered-Breathing.pdf

• From oral facial dysfunction to dysmorphism and the onset of pediatric OSA: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1087079217300369

• Telemedicine-delivered myofunctional therapy remodels upper airway anatomy in obstructive sleep apnea: a prospective controlled study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44470-025-00008-0?utm_source=springer_etoc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CONR_44470_AWA1_GL_DTEC_054CI_TOC-180126&utm_content=etoc_springer_20260118

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Why treating Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children is so critical

• A study showing the effect of untreated snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in 9 and 10 year old children and its connection to less development of grey matter in the brain and behavioral problems: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-22534-0

• A study showing an increase in poor academic performance at 8 years old in children who have snoring and sleep breathing interruptions: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.661156/full

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Myofunctional therapy’s effect on bed wetting

• Effect of breathing re-education on bed wetting: PDF

• The role of myofunctional therapy in treatment of enuretic children with sleep-disordered breathing: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336625600_GP288_The_role_of_myofunctional_therapy_in_treatment_of_enuretic_children_with_sleep-disordered_breathing

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Combined effect of tongue tie release surgery with myofunctional therapy

• A very clinical explanation of tethered oral tissues: PDF

• A 2019 study showing the effectiveness of tongue tie releases with myofunctional therapy PDF

• A clinical dissection of tongue ties a paper describing the anatomy of a tongue tie: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330756535_What_is_a_Tongue_Tie_Defining_the_anatomy_of_the_in-situ_lingual_frenulum

• Research study defining tongue tie: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11325-016-1452-7

• A description of a ‘functional release’ combining myofunctional therapy with a tongue tie release: https://www.lightscalpel.com/publications/tongue-tie-functional-release/

• A study demonstrating both safety and effectiveness of myofunctional therapy and tongue tie release of professional singers and professional speakers: https://www.mdpi.com/2694-2526/49/1/1

• A 2025 study demonstrating the effects of myofunctional therapy coupled with a tongue tie release: https://www.mdpi.com/2694-2526/51/2/11

• Lingual Frenuloplasty with Myofunctional Therapy: Improving Outcomes for the Treatment of Ankyloglossia (Tongue-Tie) with Refined Techniques and Endpoints: https://www.mdpi.com/2694-2526/51/2/11

• Zaghi S, Shamtoob S, Peterson C, et al. Assessment of posterior tongue mobility using lingual-palatal suction: Progress towards a functional definition of ankyloglossia: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joor.13144

• Lingual and Maxillary Labial Frenuloplasty with Myofunctional Therapy as a Treatment for Mouth Breathing and Snoring: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2019/3408053

• Short Lingual Frenulum and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children: https://joymoeller.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Short-Frenulum-Pediatric-OSA-Myofunctional-Therapy-JPR-4.2015-1.pdf

• Multidisciplinary management of ankyloglossia in childhood: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4765751/

• Functional Improvements of Speech, Feeding, and Sleep After Lingual Frenectomy Tongue-Tie Release: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0009922820928055

• Lingual frenuloplasty with myofunctional therapy: Exploring safety and efficacy in 348 cases: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/lio2.297

• Lingual and Maxillary Labial Frenuloplasty with Myofunctional Therapy as a Treatment for Mouth Breathing and Snoring: ://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2019/3408053

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Combined effect of myofunctional therapy and orthodontics

• Study showing the importance of myofunctional therapy in combination with orthodontics when treating ‘anterior open bite: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2008.07.016

• A study showing the connection of tongue tie to a narrow roof of the mouth: PDF

• Relapse of anterior open bites treated with orthodontic appliances with and without orofacial myofunctional therapy: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889540609013316

• Patients treated with orthodonticmyofunctional therapeutic protocol: https://www.reachforspeechandbeyond.com/resources/Patients_treated_with_orthodontic-myofunctional_therapeutic_protocol_Eur_Jour_Ped_Den_2012_Saccomanno.pdf

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Effect of Myofunctional Therapy on TMJ pain, clenching & grinding

• Evidence based review of connection between teeth grinding, sleep disorders and TMJ: https://aadsm.org/docs/JDSM.1.1.27.pdf

• Effects of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy on Temporomandibular Disorders: 10.1179/crn.2010.033

• Mouth breathing: adverse effects on facial growth, health, academics, and behavior: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20129889/

• Study showing the effectiveness of myofunctional therapy on treating TMJ pain: https://www.pagepressjournals.org/index.php/bam/article/view/6759

• Study showing the connection between dysfuntional swallowing pattern on TMJ pain: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7135951/

• The Effectiveness of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Adults with Myogenous Temporomandibular Disorders: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41464618/

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Neck and shoulder pain

• Study showing improvement of neck and shoulder pain with breathing re-education: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25141528/

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Mouthbreathing

• The health benefits of nose breathing: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=518e51c3807f277b38c313062532f75211e080cf

• Effect of mouth breathing on the shape of face and airway: https://academic.oup.com/ejo/article/29/5/426/426214

• Mouth breathing, “nasal disuse,” and pediatric sleep-disordered breathing: 10.1007/s11325-015-1154-6

• Research study discussing the benefits of nasal breathing re-education and myofunctional therapy on all 4 types of sleep apnea: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/3/471?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&_kx=X9D2MLn_MXCiVsvvvQmCDcnp5TzPSpTyJtffCemi8OY.Wd8SrD

• Air-conditioning in the human nasal cavity: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1569904808001262?via%3Dihub

• Mouth breathing, "nasal disuse," and pediatric sleep-disordered breathing: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25877805/

• Lingual and Maxillary Labial Frenuloplasty with Myofunctional Therapy as a Treatment for Mouth Breathing and Snoring: ://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2019/3408053

• Effectiveness of orofacial myofunctional therapy in improving orofacial function and oral habits: a scoping review: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11956678/

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Lip Seal

• Research study showing the effect of myofunctional therapy on the ability for the lips to stay closed during the day and night: https://eprints.lib.hokudai.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2115/67351/1/18_Junichiro%20Iida.pdf

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Connection between pelvic floor dysfunction and tongue tie

• This article discusses the connection between tongue tie and the pelvic floor: https://journals.lww.com/jwphpt/abstract/2023/10000/ankyloglossia,_a_contributor_to_pelvic_pain__a.8.aspx

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Connection between the tongue and posture

The Connection between the Tongue, Posture and the Nervous System: https://www.chinesis.org/images/Libri%20pubbl/articolo_annali.pdf

The Anatomical Relationships of the Tongue with the Body System: https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/review_article/pdf/16486/1612428382-1612428378-20210204-18203-1k43dya.pdf

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Myofunctional therapy effects on tinnitus

A research study showing myofunctional therapy improving tinnitus symptoms: here is the abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18468271/ here is the full paper: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Melissa-Melchior/publication/5383840_Otologic_Symptoms_of_Temporomandibular_Disorder_and_Effect_of_Orofacial_Myofunctional_Therapy/links/56d429dd08ae868628b240b6/Otologic-Symptoms-of-Temporomandibular-Disorder-and-Effect-of-Orofacial-Myofunctional-Therapy.pdf

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Long-term effect on tinnitus by treatment of temporomandibular disorders: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00016350500377842

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Relationship between Otological Symptoms and TMD: https://www.tinnitusjournal.com/abstract/relationship-between-otological-symptoms-and-tmd-10364.html

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