Dental Innovations of Columbus Myofunctional Therapy
A personalized holistic approach to a better you
ABOUT
Ashtin Balfour, RDH, OMT
Ashtin is a Trained Orofacial Myologist and a Registered Dental Hygienist. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, at Wayne State College, in 2017. She then went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from UNMC Dental College in Lincoln, NE in 2019, where she acquired her license to practice. After working at Dental Innovations of Columbus as a RDH, she began to see an increase of patients suffering from many different orofacial myofunctional disorders, such as, tongue thrusters, tongue ties, patients with an anterior open bite, open mouth breathers, CPAP users, TMJ sufferers and many many more. This sparked a passion in Ashtin’s journey in orofacial myology. In 2024, she completed her training in Orofacial Myology through Airway Health Solutions.
As an Orofacial Myologist and Registered Dental Hygienist, Ashtin is willing to learn more and is passionate in educating patients on ways to improve their quality of life. Ashtin is excited to expand her knowledge and skills by taking courses and keeping up to date on current literature and best industry practices. She will work collaboratively with dentists, orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS), otolaryngologists (ENTs), speech language pathologists, and other local health care professionals.
When she is not practicing dental hygiene and myofunctional therapy, you can find Ashtin with her husband and two children. They also have two cats and a dog to add to their never ending chaos!
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a personalized treatment plan just for you
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GOALS of myofunctional therapy
- establish nasal breathing as primary function
- promote a lip seal and normalize freeway space
- promote a palatal tongue rest position
- promote an optimal swallowing pattern
- promote proper chewing and drinking
- correct excessive dysfunctional habits
WHAT IS OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY?
The study and treatment of oral and facial muscles as they relate to speech, dentition, chewing/bolus collection, swallowing, and overall mental and physical health. It is the neuromuscular re-education or repatterning of the oral and facial muscles. Also known as Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) or Orofacial Myology.
Definition from the: AOMT (Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy)
MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY AT DENTAL INNOVATIONS OF COLUMBUS
We provide our patients in-person and/or virtual treatment plans to optimize the function of the orofacial muscles, aid in establishing dominant nasal breathing patterns, and rid noxious oral habits. Our programs are individualized to provide exercises and modification techniques to help stabilize orthodontic, surgical, and dental results. A completely holistic approach to help you become a better you and achieve your therapy goals. It is amazing what can be achieved when the orofacial muscles are working together.
Myofunctional Therapy Program Includes:
• Free Consult
• Evaluation and Intake Appointment
• 12-14 sessions - (in person or virtual)
• 1 year of maintenance/follow ups
Myofunctional Therapy Program Includes:
• Free Consult
• Evaluation and Intake Appointment
• 12-14 sessions - (in person or virtual)
• 1 year of maintenance/follow ups
WHO BENEFITS FROM MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY?
Anyone who experiences problems that may be associated with Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs).
What is an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD)?
Disorders of the muscles and functions of the face and mouth. OMDs may affect breastfeeding, facial skeletal growth and development, chewing, swallowing, speech, occlusion, temporomandibular joint movement, sleep breathing disorders, oral hygiene, stability of orthodontic treatment, facial esthetics, and more.
Most OMDs originate with poor habitual nasal breathing or with mouth breathing.
List of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
- Asthma
- Anxiety
- Incorrect swallowing may be linked to GERD
- Oral tissue irritation
- Lack of Lip seal (mouth breathing) may lead to occlusal dysfunction
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Low, forward tongue rest may be linked to orthodontic relapse, psychological, cosmetic, and structural issues
- Noxious Oral Habits (thumb/finger sucking, nail biting, prolonged pacifier)
- Tongue-tie/Lip Tie (TOT’s: Tethered Oral Tissues)
- Tongue Thrust
- Snoring
- History of orthodontics
- Inability to masticate food properly, open mouth chewing
- Speech Problems
- Periodontal Disease
- Forward Head and Neck Posture
- High Narrow Palate
- Grinding and Clenching, Temporal Mandibular Disorders (jaw pain)
- ADHD
- Frequent congestion
Types Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs)
• Tongue ties: inhibits tongue function with elevation (lifting), protrusion (sticking out), lateralization (moving side to side), suction, jaw stability
• Lip ties: inhibits lip closure
• Buccal ties: inhibits buccinator (cheek) function and suctioning skills
Tethered Oral Tissue related problems
• Sleep issues
• Craniofacial respiratory complex development
• Nursing/bottle feeding
• Eating
• Speech
• Other issues
○ Neck/shoulder pain
○ TMJ issues
○ Headaches
○ Strong gag reflex
○ Ear tubes
○ Tonsil and adenoid issues
○ Chronic ear/throat infections
○ Mouth breathing
○ Constipation
○ Digestive issues
○ ADHD
Sleep-related breathing disorders
• Mouth breathing
• Snoring
• Upper airway resistance syndrome
• Obstructive sleep apnea
Signs of sleep disordered breathing in children
• Open mouth breathing
• Snoring
• ADD/ADHD
• Bedwetting
• Sleep walking
• Teeth grinding
• Enlarged tonsils/adenoids
• Obesity
• Failure to thrive
• Slowed growth
Early intervention is important!
• Age 4-6: 50-65% of craniofacial growth is completed
• Age 7-8: 70-80% of craniofacial growth is completed
• Age 12: 90-95% of craniofacial growth is completed
FAQ
A holistic based therapy where oral and facial exercises and techniques are taught. These promote proper tongue position and improved breathing. Patients are taught how to rest their tongue in the roof of their mouth and breathe dominantly through their nose. Typically, for comprehensive cases, the therapy will take 12-14 weeks of 1 hour appointments and follow-up appointments, post-treatment, at necessary intervals to make sure habituation is achieved.
Cost of therapy will vary based on therapist/provider and region. Our office provides a free consultation. Based on consult findings, the therapist will go over any concerns with the patient and/or guardians. Sessions will generally be charged as a full myofunctional therapy program, consisting of a number of prescribed sessions. We require payment up front when consent and commitment is made for treatment.
Myofunctional Therapy Programs can range from $1400-$2400. Additional fees may be accrued by other specialists or appliances if referral is necessary.
Myofunctional therapy programs through Dental Innovations of Columbus is a fee for service provider and we do not bill medical or dental insurance. However, we do accept cash, check, and credit card payments, CareCredit, and HSA and FSA plans are accepted (may differ per individual plan).
● Registered Dental Hygienists and Dentists
● Speech Language Pathologists
● Occupational Therapists
● Physical Therapists
● Registered Nurses
● Speech Language Pathologists
● Occupational Therapists
● Physical Therapists
● Registered Nurses
● The tongue is a muscular and respiratory organ
● Nature's palate expander from birth
● Tongue and lips are the body’s own retainer system
● Provides architecture for the maxilla and mandible - with proper forces, it allows for development and bone growth
● Nature's palate expander from birth
● Tongue and lips are the body’s own retainer system
● Provides architecture for the maxilla and mandible - with proper forces, it allows for development and bone growth
● Improper arch form and width
● An underdeveloped maxilla causes crowding and will cause adverse effects on the position of the mandible
● When the maxilla and mandible do not grow to their full potential the result is a person with a compromised airway
● Leads to sleep disordered breathing disorders
End result:
● Open mouth breathing
● Snoring
● ADD/ADHD
● Bedwetting
● Sleep walking
● Teeth grinding
● Enlarged tonsils/adenoids
● Obesity
● Failure to thrive
● Failure to thrive
● Slowed growth
● An underdeveloped maxilla causes crowding and will cause adverse effects on the position of the mandible
● When the maxilla and mandible do not grow to their full potential the result is a person with a compromised airway
● Leads to sleep disordered breathing disorders
End result:
● Open mouth breathing
● Snoring
● ADD/ADHD
● Bedwetting
● Sleep walking
● Teeth grinding
● Enlarged tonsils/adenoids
● Obesity
● Failure to thrive
● Failure to thrive
● Slowed growth
Call: 1-402-564-7575
3611 27th Street, Columbus, NE, 68601, U.S.
Open Hours
Mon. – Thurs. 8:00AM – 5:00PM CST
Fri. 8:00AM – 2:00PM CST
Fri. 8:00AM – 2:00PM CST
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