Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional Therapy at Utah Family Wellness
Gentle, evidence-based care for every stage of your family’s airway health.
Our myofunctional therapy programs are designed to gently retrain the tongue, lips, and airway so breathing, feeding, sleep, and facial growth can unfold the way nature intended—at every age.
Affiliated with The Breathe Institute and guided by airway-focused, evidence-based protocols.
Foundations of Myofunctional Therapy
Personalized, exercise-based therapy for healthier breathing, feeding, and function.
Myofunctional therapy at Utah Family Wellness is a customized program of gentle exercises that strengthen and coordinate the tongue, lips, and airway. We focus on:
- Establishing relaxed, consistent nasal breathing
- Supporting a gentle, stable lip seal
- Teaching correct tongue resting posture on the palate
- Creating an efficient, coordinated swallowing pattern
Every plan is tailored to age, needs, and goals, and may include a blend of in-office and virtual sessions. Myofunctional therapy is also a required part of care before and after frenectomy to support optimal healing and long-term results.
How we structure your care
- Comprehensive functional assessment
- Age-specific exercise progression
- Home practice guidance & support
- Integration with tongue tie release when needed
Age-Based Myofunctional Therapy
Gentle, developmentally-appropriate support at every stage
From first bites to late-night study sessions, our myofunctional programs evolve with your child—and support adults, too.
Infants • 6–18 Months
MyoMunchee Consultation
This 30-minute visit supports early oral development and feeding for infants ages 6–18 months. We gently assess oral function, muscle coordination, and feeding patterns to determine whether a MyoMunchee device may be helpful.
- Hands-on parent coaching for safe, effective use
- Support for chewing, tongue function, and oral development
- Ideal for babies transitioning to solids or needing extra oral motor support
Toddlers • Under 5 Years
Mini Music Myo Therapy
Our 45-minute weekly drop-in class introduces myofunctional concepts through games, music, and movement, making therapy feel like play for preschool-aged children.
- Encourages proper tongue movement and lip strength
- Supports healthy breathing patterns in a playful setting
- Ideal for kids who benefit from low-pressure, motivating group experiences
School-Aged Children • 5–12 Years
Individualized Myofunctional Therapy
Highly customized sessions use targeted exercises and game-based activities to improve tongue strength, coordination, and overall oral function in a fun, engaging way.
- Re-educates tongue posture, nasal breathing, and swallowing
- Can be coordinated with speech, occupational, or physical therapy
- Required before and after tongue tie release for best outcomes
Teens & Adults
Airway-Focused Myofunctional Care
Custom programs address tongue, lip, and airway function to restore healthy patterns for breathing, sleep, and long-term stability after orthodontic or tongue tie treatment.
- Supports mouth breathing, tongue thrust, and jaw tension
- Helps address sleep-related concerns and orthodontic relapse
- Often delivered through a blend of in-office and virtual visits
Functional Frenuloplasty
Tongue tie release that prioritizes form, function, and breath.
Our functional frenuloplasty approach looks beyond a simple tongue tie release. We focus on restoring healthy tongue mobility, airway support, and muscular coordination—before, during, and after the procedure.
- Pre-release myofunctional therapy to prepare muscles for new range of motion
- Precise, airway-centered release technique
- Detailed post-procedure exercises and healing support
- Ongoing myofunctional therapy to retrain posture, breathing, and swallowing
As an affiliate of The Breathe Institute, we follow evidence-based, airway-focused protocols to support not only oral mobility, but also breathing, sleep, and whole-body wellness.
What to expect the day of your procedure
Infants
Calm, family-centered environment with feeding support immediately after the procedure and clear guidance on soothing, stretching, and follow-up therapy.
Children
Age-appropriate explanations, comfort-focused techniques, and coordination with their ongoing myofunctional and supportive therapies.
Teens & Adults
Thorough pre-procedure review, comfort options, precise release, and detailed instructions to integrate post-release exercises into daily life.
Tongue in closed Mouth posture
— Help from Dr. Soroush Zaghi
Importance of Nose Breathing
— Help from James Nestor
Begin with a calm, comprehensive consultation.
We’ll listen to your story, assess function gently and thoroughly, and recommend an age-appropriate myofunctional plan—with or without frenuloplasty—that aligns with your goals.
- Family-focused, unhurried visit
- Clear explanation of findings and next steps
- Coordinated care with your existing providers when needed
Questions, answered
Myofunctional therapy & frenuloplasty FAQs
If you’re unsure whether your child—or you—may benefit from myofunctional therapy or tongue tie release, you’re not alone. These are nuanced, highly individualized decisions, and we’re here to guide you through them.
Do I need myofunctional therapy if I’m planning a tongue tie release?
Yes. For both children and adults, myofunctional therapy is a required part of care at Utah Family Wellness. Pre-release therapy prepares the muscles for new movement and helps protect against compensations. Post-release therapy then retrains the tongue, lips, and airway to work together in a healthier pattern.
How long does a typical myofunctional therapy approach last?
Length varies by age, goals, and complexity. Many families work with us for several months, with visits spaced to allow for home practice and integration. At your consultation, we’ll outline an approximate timeline and phases of care for your specific situation.
Can my child do myofunctional therapy while in speech or occupational therapy?
Absolutely. Myofunctional therapy pairs beautifully with speech therapy and occupational or physical therapy. We’re happy to collaborate with your existing providers so that everyone is working toward aligned goals with consistent strategies.
Is virtual myofunctional therapy as effective as in person?
For many teens and adults—and some older children—virtual visits are an excellent option. We’ll help you decide whether full in-office care, virtual sessions, or a hybrid model will best support your progress and lifestyle.