This page is to share resources that a prospective patient, hygienist, speech pathologist, dentist, physician, chiropractor or other health care provider would find useful when considering oral myofunctional therapy.

Where can I learn more from Dave?

• To learn more about courses Dave is teaching and courses he recommends visit myoDave.com

• Are you interested in learning more about becoming a myofunctional therapist? Dave is currently teaching with the MyoMentor Institute - you can learn more information at MyoMentor. His current role is leading study clubs for newly graduated myofunctional therapists.

• Would you like to take a ‘crash course’ on myofunctional therapy? Sarah Hornsby has a great online course where you can learn some of the basics about myofunctional disorders at SarahKHornsby.com

• Dave frequently teaches an in-person or virtual 1-hour study-club style course in the local Seattle area. If your office, study club, dental association, or hygiene association is interested, send me a message at dave@kenmoremyo.com. Dave also is available for virtual classes through zoom. Email for availability.

• Are you a myofunctional therapist looking for individual one-on-one coaching? You can book a 30 minutes zoom consultation with Dave for $100 at https://calendly.com/kenmoremyo/.

Myofunctional Therapy and Pediatric Dental Care

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

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

Myofunctional therapy’s effect on bed wetting

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

Combined effect of tongue tie release surgery with myofunctional therapy

• A very clinical explanation of tethered oral tissues: PDF

• A 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://ijom.iaom.com/journal/vol49/iss1/1/?fbclid=IwAR3p6e6yRIBeMOMbMyp9p_ouhCearKTrbiIuMuqjWw2Z7EFEXSpXJ8FdNS8

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

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/

Neck and shoulder pain

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

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

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

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

Books to read:

Here is a list of great books to read about myofunctional therapy, breathing, tongue posture and swallowing:

• Close Your Mouth, by Patrick McKeown

• Six Foot Tiger Three Foot Cage, by Felix Liao, DDS

• Tongue-Tied, by Richard Baxter, DMD

• GASP, by Dr Michael Gelb

• Jaws, by Sandra Kahn and Paul Ehrlich

• The Oxygen Advantage, by Patrick McKeown

• SOS 4 TOTS, by Lawrence Kotlow DDS

• Baby Led Weaning, by Tracey Murkett

• The Evolution of the Human Head, by Daniel Lieberman

• Deep Nutrition, by Catherine Shanahan MD

• The Dental Diet, by Dr Steven Lin

• Feed Your Baby and Toddler Right, by Diane Bahr

• Nobody Ever Told Me (Or My Mother) That!, by Diane Bahr

• Sleep Interrupted, by Dr Steven Park

• Breath, by James Nestor

• Breathe, Sleep, Thrive by Dr. Shereen Lim

• Accomplished: How to Sleep Better, Eliminate Burnout, and Execute Goals, by Karese Laguerre

• Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism

• Breathing for Warriors, by Belisa Vranich and Brian Sabin

A work in progress

This page is a work in progress - check back often for updates. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of available research but rather a quick reference for frequently referenced articles and papers. If you have a paper you think should be included, please email dave@kenmoremyo.com