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Myofunctional Therapy Solutions in Carson City, NV
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Gina Bartoni
Owner & Myofunctional Therapist
I am a registered dental hygienist with 7 years of clinical experience, I graduated from Truckee Meadows Community College in 2016. I have always had a passion for a holistic approach to dentistry and caring for an individual by helping to find the root cause of symptoms in efforts to treat the problem, not just the signs and symptoms. I discovered myofunctional therapy when my daughter was born and she had trouble nursing. After research and challenges with feeding, losing weight and digestive issues such as colic, I learned that she had a tongue- tie. This meant that her tongue was unable to function properly to latch for nursing. Once we had her tongue tie properly revised at 2 months old there were many exercises to be performed on her several times a day from us ( her parents).
I shortly realized that there is a major link to breathing disorders, sleep disorders, speech challenges, jaw and facial development that could be affected by tethered oral tissues ( tongue ties, lip and buccal ties) as well as poor muscle tone or excessive muscle tone. This prompted me to look into ways I could help individuals improve their overall health which has led me to the profession of myofunctional therapy.
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Myofunctional Therapy can help children and adults alike!
Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional Therapy involves custom exercises focused on the tongue, mouth, lips, and throat to improve breathing, swallowing, chewing, and speaking. It can eliminate impairments and promote a desired response from the parasympathetic nervous system by resolving the root cause of many myofunctional impairments.
Services
An initial comprehensive evaluation is performed, evaluating the function of all of the muscles of the mouth and face for OMD’s ( Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders). During this 90 min appointment I will evaluate your breathing, chewing, and swallowing. An in depth medical history review will be completed and screenings for tongue/ lip ties and sleep related breathing disorders.
Once I have reviewed the findings, I will design an individualized treatment plan for you including stretches and exercises to improve range of motion, breathing, chewing, swallowing and resting posture of your mouth. We will meet for 12 sessions for 30 minutes each to review your exercise progress and modify and add exercises as needed. Exercises are recommended to be done about 2-4 times a day lasting about 5 minutes each in order to achieve optimal results.
I also work in a collaborative effort with other health care and body work providers to help you achieve the best results and will refer as needed.
Children
During childhood, the jaw and facial structure development will be the scaffolding for the upper airway. The upper airway includes the nose/ nostrils, nasal cavity and throat. Optimal function of the muscles of the head and neck will help to create expansion of the upper jaw, which will help the lower jaw develop properly as well. Myofunctional therapy can help to create this optimal development in efforts to reduce need or duration of orthodontics, help to increase nasal breathing, reduce poor oral habits such as finger sucking or pen biting, and improve the oral resting posture. We will also discuss proper diet related to jaw growth and address concerns regarding texture aversions of foods. Common signs that myofunctional therapy can be beneficial:
• Bed wetting
• Thumb/ finger sucking
• Speech delay or lisp
• Food texture aversions
• Chronic ear/throat infections
• Open mouth posture
• Excessive drooling ( beyond 2 yrs old)
• Crowded teeth
• Chronic congestion or allergies
• Tongue “thrust”
• Asthma
Adults
Many of us haven’t had proper jaw development during childhood which results in symptoms and ailments in our adulthood. Myofunctional therapy is designed to help retrain and repattern the muscles of the head and neck in efforts to reduce many symptoms, improve overall health and quality of life.
Symptoms of OMD’s (orofacial myofunctional disorders)
If you have any of the following myofunctional therapy may benefit you:
• TMJ pain
• Headaches
• Strong gag reflex
• Mouth breathing
• Digestive issues
• Acid reflux
• Snoring
• Teeth grinding
• Tongue Tie
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as humans we are designed to breathe through our mouth in order for our bodies to get the most oxygen and for the air we breathe to be filtered properly. When we breathe through our mouth we often are more prone to getting sick, causing inflammation in our mouth and throat and weak facial muscle tone. There are many results of poor health from mouth breathing that can affect the whole body including jaw pain, digestive issues, and poor sleep.
Initial evaluation $99 ( 90 min)
Myofunctional therapy programs range from $1,400 to $3,000 (twelve 30 min sessions)
Sessions are usually charged per visit or as a full myofunctional therapy program, individual sessions range from $100 – $250
I do not bill health or dental insurances, I can create a superbill that you can send to your insurance provider for a possible reimbursement from your insurance company.
The goals of myofunctional therapy are to achieve proper oral resting posture with your lips sealed, and tongue suctioned to the palate from the very back to the tip of your tongue, promote nasal breathing, promote proper chewing habits, promote proper swallowing.
No, Myofunctional therapy is a holistic therapy that helps to improve your health and quality of life using treatment modalities such as breathing techniques, mindfulness, and behavior modification techniques to helps to promote proper oral resting posture.
A tongue tie is when the connective tissue that attaches your tongue to the floor of your mouth is either too taut, short, or thick restricting movement and function of your tongue.
Although myofunctional therapy has been around for over a century, many healthcare practitioners and dental providers weren’t educated in the subject of myofunctional therapy or airway dentistry. This field is currently expanding as the population continues to grow interest in preventative health modalities.
It’s been a little over 2 months since I started the myofunctional therapy and the results have been amazing. If you think you don’t have the time, you do. The little time it takes to commit is worth changing your life in a way that makes you more aware of yourself. A way that helps you create momentum in all aspects of your life and build confidence so grateful.
Evelyn Jimenez
I just wanted to say that the myofunctional therapy is amazing. The results are noticeable right away. So blessed for this therapy.
Debra Peters
My son’s mouth issues were resolved through myofunctional therapy. I highly recommend this therapy for anyone experiencing similar issues.
Mark Martinez
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Scheduling your appointment is fast and easy. Holistic solutions should always be prioritized. Gina can help diagnose issues and prevention