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Myofunctional Therapy in London, Ontario

If a dentist, orthodontist, or sleep professional has recommended follow-up for tongue thrust, mouth breathing, or a tongue tie, myofunctional therapy in London, Ontario may be the next step. It uses guided exercises to improve how the tongue, lips, and facial muscles rest, swallow, and support proper breathing. At Olive Tree Dental in downtown London, myofunctional therapy can be provided on its own or as part of orthodontic or tongue-tie care, depending on your needs.
Myofunctional therapy is not a quick fix or a one-time treatment. It involves practising specific exercises for a few minutes each day, usually at home, to help develop better oral muscle function. Progress takes time, and following the recommended exercises consistently is an important part of treatment.
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What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Your tongue has a natural resting position. Ideally, it rests gently against the roof of your mouth, your lips stay closed, and you breathe through your nose. When these patterns are not working properly, they can affect chewing, swallowing, speech, and breathing. This may be associated with an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD).
Myofunctional therapy, also called orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT), uses targeted exercises to improve tongue, lip, and facial muscle function. Treatment focuses on healthier resting, swallowing, and breathing patterns and can be used for both children and adults.
If you want to learn more about the conditions it can address, read our guide on what myofunctional therapy is used for.

Signs You or Your Child May Have an OMD

Certain patterns may indicate an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) and may benefit from an assessment:
  • Mouth breathing or lips that remain open at rest
  • Tongue pushing against or between the teeth when swallowing (tongue thrust)
  • Crowded teeth, a narrow dental arch, or an improper bite
  • Snoring, restless sleep, or waking up tired
  • Clenching, grinding, or tension in the jaw, face, or neck
  • Frequent headaches
  • Difficulty latching in infants, sometimes related to a tongue or lip tie
You do not need to have every sign. If you notice several of these patterns, an assessment can help determine whether myofunctional therapy is appropriate.

How Myofunctional Therapy Works at Olive Tree Dental

Treatment starts with an assessment to understand how your tongue, lips, and facial muscles function when you rest, swallow, and breathe. Your first 60 to 90-minute appointment includes an evaluation and discussion of your concerns. Your provider then creates a treatment plan based on your specific needs.
A typical myofunctional therapy plan may include:
  • Daily tongue, lip, and breathing exercises
  • Regular appointments to monitor progress and adjust exercises
  • Guidance to reduce habits such as thumb or finger sucking and nail biting
  • Coordination with tongue or lip tie treatment and orthodontic care, including Invisalign or Fastbraces, when appropriate
Most exercises are completed at home, so consistent daily practice is an important part of treatment.

What Can Myofunctional Therapy Help With?

Myofunctional therapy in London, Ontario can support several oral and breathing concerns, depending on the cause and your individual needs:
  • Tongue thrust and oral rest posture: Exercises help improve tongue position and swallowing patterns.
  • Orthodontic treatment: Better tongue posture and swallowing can support orthodontic care and help maintain results after braces or aligners. It does not replace orthodontic treatment.
  • Mouth breathing: Mouth breathing treatment in London, Ontario may include exercises to encourage nasal breathing and proper lip posture when the airway allows it. Nasal blockage, allergies, or enlarged tonsils may require separate medical care.
  • Snoring and sleep-disordered breathing: Myofunctional therapy for sleep apnea may help reduce symptoms in some patients, but it is not a cure. Suspected sleep apnea should be properly assessed and diagnosed first.
An assessment can determine whether orofacial myofunctional therapy is appropriate for you or your child.
Myofunctional Therapy

Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy uses targeted exercises to improve the function and coordination of the tongue, lips, and facial muscles. Exercises usually take only a few minutes and can be completed at home. Treatment is tailored to your needs, and consistent practice is important for progress.
  • Supports Orthodontic Treatment
  • May Improve Sleep-Related Breathing
  • Suitable for Children and Adults

1. Supports Orthodontic Treatment

Myofunctional therapy can support orthodontic treatment by improving tongue posture, swallowing patterns, and oral muscle function. It may be used alongside clear aligners such as Invisalign when appropriate. It does not replace orthodontic treatment or guarantee faster results.

2. May Improve Sleep-Related Breathing

Myofunctional therapy for sleep apnea focuses on exercises that strengthen and improve the function of the tongue and muscles involved in breathing. It may help reduce snoring and symptoms of mild to moderate sleep-disordered breathing in some patients. It is an adjunctive treatment, not a replacement for proper sleep apnea diagnosis or medical care.

3. Suitable for Children and Adults

Myofunctional therapy can be tailored for both children and adults. Treatment focuses on the specific oral and facial muscle patterns affecting each patient rather than age alone. An assessment helps determine whether orofacial myofunctional therapy is appropriate for you or your child.

What Does a Course of Therapy Look Like?

A typical myofunctional therapy programme lasts around 6 to 9 months, with appointments spaced throughout the treatment period and short daily exercises at home. The number of sessions varies based on your needs and progress. Consistent home practice is an important part of treatment, and some patients may begin noticing changes within the first few months.

Myofunctional Therapy Cost and Insurance in London, Ontario

Myofunctional therapy costs in London, Ontario depend on the assessment, number of sessions, and length of your treatment plan.
  • Initial assessment: A longer first appointment to determine whether therapy is appropriate and develop a treatment plan.
  • Individual sessions: Fees can vary based on the type and length of treatment.
  • Full programme: Most programmes last around 6 to 9 months, so the total cost depends on the number of sessions you need.
Insurance coverage varies between plans. Some extended health plans may cover related services, but myofunctional therapy may not be listed by name. Check your plan or contact your insurer to confirm your coverage.
We will provide a clear estimate of your treatment costs before you begin

Why Choose Olive Tree Dental for Myofunctional Therapy?

At Olive Tree Dental in downtown London, our team provides myofunctional therapy alongside dental, orthodontic, and tongue-tie care. This allows your treatment plan to be coordinated when multiple areas need attention.
  • Trusted by local patients: 4.9 stars across 460+ Google reviews and the Top Choice Award for dental clinic in London, Ontario, from 2022 to 2026.
  • Connected care: Our dental, orthodontic, tongue-tie, and myofunctional therapy services work together when appropriate.
  • Clear treatment plans: We explain whether therapy is right for you, what treatment may involve, and the expected costs before you begin.

Is Myofunctional Therapy Right for You?

Start with an assessment. We will evaluate how you rest, swallow, and breathe and determine whether myofunctional therapy in London, Ontario is appropriate for you or your child. If treatment is recommended, we will explain the next steps and what to expect.
Book a consultation or call (519) 672-0931. Olive Tree Dental is located at 759 Richmond St, London, ON, serving patients in London and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common signs include mouth breathing, lips that remain open at rest, tongue thrust, snoring, restless sleep, clenching, or jaw tension. You do not need to have every symptom. An assessment can determine whether an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) is present and whether therapy may help.
Most myofunctional therapy programmes run for about 6 to 9 months, often with 10 to 18 sessions and short daily exercises at home. The number of appointments depends on your needs and progress.
It may help reduce snoring and symptoms of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea by improving tongue and upper-airway muscle function. It is not a cure or replacement for medical treatment. Suspected sleep apnea should be properly diagnosed first.
Yes. Myofunctional therapy for adults can address oral muscle and breathing patterns at any age. It may also support orthodontic treatment when appropriate.
Coverage depends on your individual extended health plan and how the service is classified. Check with your insurance provider before starting treatment to confirm whether you have coverage.
No. The exercises are gentle and non-invasive. You may need to practise them regularly at home to achieve and maintain progress.
It may improve tongue and oral muscle coordination when swallowing difficulties are related to an orofacial myofunctional disorder. An assessment is needed to determine whether therapy is appropriate.
It may help improve tongue, lip, and resting patterns that can affect orthodontic results. However, it does not replace retainers or other orthodontic aftercare.
Treatment varies by patient. At Olive Tree Dental, programmes commonly run for 6 to 9 months, with the exact timeline determined after your assessment.