Myofunctional Disorders

We can help.

  • tongue tie happens when the tissue under the tongue (lingual frenulum) is too short or tight, restricting movement. This can impact breastfeeding, speech, swallowing, and oral development. Early evaluation by a provider trained in tongue ties helps determine if treatment, such as a frenectomy, is needed for improved function.

  • lip tie occurs when the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums (labial frenulum) is thick or restrictive. This may make breastfeeding difficult, contribute to dental spacing, or affect oral hygiene. A proper lip tie assessment ensures families get the right support, from feeding guidance to possible release procedures.

  • buccal tie involves restrictive tissue on the cheeks, connecting the gums to the inside of the mouth. Though less common than tongue or lip ties, buccal ties can affect feeding, oral mobility, and comfort. Careful evaluation by a knowledgeable provider helps parents decide if treatment or therapy is beneficial.

  • Thumb sucking is a natural reflex for children that can sometimes persist beyond the toddler years, potentially leading to speech and dental issues. Our therapy program is designed to gently and effectively help children eliminate this habit. Through positive reinforcement, behavioral strategies, and engaging activities, we support children in developing healthier oral habits. Our goal is to make this transition as smooth and comforting as possible, promoting better speech development and oral health.

  • Mouth breathing, often a symptom of underlying airway issues, can affect oral and facial development, sleep quality, and speech clarity. Our practice offers targeted interventions to identify and treat the root causes of mouth breathing. Through a combination of breathing exercises, posture correction, and collaborative care with medical professionals, we aim to transition patients to healthier nasal breathing patterns. Our approach not only enhances speech and dental health but also improves overall well-being by promoting optimal breathing practices.

Specialized Programs

  • Developed by Jennifer Simon Triandafilou, MA, CCC-SLP, this program is designed to retrain the muscles of the face and tongue for proper posture within the mouth. It works to correct the swallowing motion and any speech sound errors that have been identified. This program incorporates a variety of exercises that stimulate different muscles that are associated with a tongue thrust. Each exercise is accompanied by an icon that explains which muscle group you will be working on.

  • Developed by Jennifer Simon Triandafilou, MA, CCC-SLP, this play-based program focuses on teaching children proper oral and facial postures at rest, during speech, and while swallowing. It aims to reestablish nasal breathing which has been linked to better overall health. With proper oral and facial postures, problematic symptoms - such as chewing/ swallowing difficulties, speech sound errors, snoring/ sleep apnea, and persistent oral habits - become easier to treat.

  • Developed by Jennifer Simon Triandafilou, MA, CCC-SLP, THUMBS UP! is an oral habit elimination program that incorporates behavioral modification and positive reinforcement to break the habit and reverse the negative effects of thumb/finger sucking (tongue/teeth positioning, swallowing problems, speech sound errors).

  • Developed by Robyn Merkle Walsh, SMILE (SysteMatic Intervention for Lingual Elevation) Program is an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy program targeting speech, oral resting posture, oral habits and swallowing.