Risks and Limitations Of Myofunctional Therapy

Successful myofunctional therapy treatment is a partnership between the therapist and the patient. Your health practitioners, myofunctional therapist, and all of the team involved are dedicated to achieving the best possible result. As a general rule, informed and cooperative patients can achieve incredible and very successful results from their therapy. While recognizing the benefits of a healthy breathing. swallowing pattern, proper tone and functioning of the face and mouth muscles, and a correct resting posture for the lips and tongue, you should also be aware that as with any form of treatment there are limitations and risks. These are seldom serious enough to indicate that you should not undergo treatment, however, it is important for you to know and understand this information.

Myofunctional therapy is a specialized treatment that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of myofunctional disorders, as well as habits associated with or causing these muscular and breathing concerns.

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT PROGRAM DETAILS

You are enrolling in a comprehensive myofunctional therapy program. This program includes 12-15 sessions over 6-12 month period. For patients who are undergoing tongue-tie surgery, this program includes 6-8 weeks of pre-frenectomy exercises as well as post-frenectomy healing protocols and exercises. If multiple family members are undergoing myofunctional therapy at the same time, this program is limited to two participants per session. An additional fee of $500 will apply for each additional family member up to 4 and sessions will be extended from 45 minutes to 60 minutes in length.

Every comprehensive program include one full treatment kit with the supplies you'll need for your therapy program. Each additional kit is $29.99 USD.

This comprehensive myofunctional therapy program also includes the management of your treatment outside of your scheduled sessions. Our team will work to coordinate with your other doctors and healthcare providers to provide multi-disciplinary support for your airway and myofunctional needs. We're committed to finding the best practitioners and doctors in your area, who understand myofunctional therapy, and can help you achieve the best health and wellness outcomes to aid in your myofunctional treatment

We strongly encourage patients to work with the providers we recommend for best treatment outcomes in regards to

- Tongue-Tie Surgery (functional frenuloplasty)

- Orthodontic Treatment and Expansion

- Airway and ENT Evaluation

- Sleep Evaluation and Assessment for Sleep Disordered Breathing

- TMJ and Craniofacial Pain

If you choose to work with provider we have not recommended, we cannot be held liable for treatment outcomes that are less than ideal or optimal. Finding the right provider for your care is crucial to your myofunctional success.

 

Refunds for therapy will be processed strictly on a case-by-case basis and any refunds issued will be at the full-price per session rate of your therapist ($150/$200/$250 A $199 non-refundable fee will be assessed to cover the kit plus shipping and handling and associated administrative costs. Payment processing fees may be assessed as well.

Results Of Treatment And Commitment To The Program

Myofunctional therapy treatment usually proceeds as planned, and we intend to do everything we can to help you achieve the best results possible. However, because this type of treatment involves patient participation and at-home involvement, we cannot guarantee that you will be completely satisfied with the results if the assignments and exercises given are not completed outside of your scheduled appointments.

The success of your therapy depends on the level of cooperation and involvement that you are willing to take at home. In order to receive optimal results, it is recommended that patients practice their exercises for at least five minutes, twice per day.

Any therapy program requires commitment and long-term dedication. If you decide at any point during treatment that you'd like to stop the program, you will have the option to take a break and restart at a later stage, but no refunds will be offered except in special circumstances.

 

Parent Participation for Patients under the age of 18

When it comes to working with children, parent involvement is mandatory. A parent MUST be present at every session and actively involved in taking notes, practicing exercises, or doing therapy alongside your child.

We highly recommend that parents take an active role in practicing the exercises with
their children outside of therapy sessions.
Myofunctional therapy is NOT successful for children when parents are not involved in
the process. It is crucial to your child's success to have parental guidance, motivation,
and accountability outside of their treatment sessions.

Length Of Treatment

You have enrolled in a comprehensive myofunctional therapy program that usually consists of 12 sessions for most people. However, because every patient presents with unique symptoms and circumstances, our goal is to work with you until your treatment is complete, no matter how many sessions that may require. On average, most programs range from 10-15 sessions, but it's rarely necessary to need more than 15 sessions to achieve successful outcomes.

Instructions and exercises related to tongue posture, lip seal, swallowing pattern, chewing. swallowing, drinking, and eating will be given over the course of this program. In addition, breathing, posture, snoring, sleep apnea, and tongue-tie exercises will be given as needed, and on a case-by-case basis. Every patient is unique and will require a treatment plan made for their specific symptoms.

It is important to keep in mind that outside of the exercises given, developing an awareness for your breathing and oral postures is crucial. We will provide you with all the necessary tools, tips, and techniques to help you develop awareness, but ultimately this is a skill each patient will need to cultivate on their own.

Therapy Sessions

You will meet for 45-minute therapy sessions with your myofunctional therapist, initially on an every-other week basis (once every two weeks It's important that these sessions remain consistent However, if you feel that you have not been able to practice adequately within the two-week time period, it's better to reschedule for a later date than to keep the appointment and not be prepared to meet with your therapist.

It's also important that too much time does not pass between sessions. If more than four weeks passes between sessions, then the outcome of the therapy will be affected and you may not achieve optimal results.

If more than six months passes between sessions, and we are unable to reach you to schedule a session, then no refund will be available. However, any unused sessions can be completed at any time and will still be available to you for up to two years from the start date of your therapy. After two years your sessions will no longer be usable.

Relapse

Completing myofunctional therapy treatment does not guarantee perfect breathing or oral and facial musculature for the rest of a person's life. Therapy will help develop awareness of correct breathing, swallowing. facial muscle function, resting posture of the lips and tongue, and eliminate habits, but without maintaining this awareness, old habits and muscle patterns can resurface months or years later. As long as an awareness of the myofunctional concern is maintained, relapse should not occur. After myofunctional therapy is complete, you will not be required to practice regular myofunctional exercises, however, awareness of your newly learned habits for breathing and muscle function will need to be maintained.

Specific Treatment Concerns

Allergies

Allergies are a very common problem and affect an estimated 10-30% of the population. In some cases, it may be necessary to work with a specialist to help manage and control allergy symptoms. Occasionally, patients with chronic allergy/nasal congestion may require additional medical management A referral to an ENT, allergist, or immunologist may be recommended.

Temporomandibular (Jaw) Joint Dysfunction

Many patients can find relief from problems that occur in the jaw joints (temporomandibular joints or TMJ), causing pain, headaches, or ear problems through myofunctional therapy. However, because problems associated with the TMJ are often multi-faceted, and can be rooted in non-muscular causes, myofunctional therapy is not guaranteed to help all patients with TMJ conditions. We are pleased when myofunctional exercises prove to be beneficial in reducing pain or other symptoms of the TMJ, but cannot predict that these outcomes will be consistent for every patient undergoing therapy. Treatment by other medical or dental specialists may be necessary, and referrals may be made accordingly.

Ankyloglossia (Tongue-Tie) And Functional Frenuloplasty (Release Of A Restricted Frenum)
Many patients experience myofunctional disorders caused by a tight or restricted lingual frenum. This affects an significant portion of the population, and occurs when the tongue is “tied” or tethered to the floor of the mouth, restricting functional movement.

In some cases, it is impossible to proceed with myofunctional therapy because the tongue is severely restricted and unable to function or move properly. In this circumstance, a procedure called a functional frenuloplasty must be performed to release the tight tissue underneath the tongue. Without a functional frenuloplasty, improper resting posture of the tongue, swallowing pattern, and orofacial muscle function cannot be corrected. Treatment by a highly trained ENT, dentist, or oral surgeon may be required. This may be determined at any point during therapy, and referrals to recommended providers will be made. If you choose not to have your tongue-tie released, we cannot guarantee optimal outcomes for your myofunctional therapy or we may need to terminate therapy.

Speech Therapy

Myofunctional therapy is not considered to be speech therapy; these are two separate and distinct fields. However, myofunctional therapy has been shown to improve speech when muscular concerns are the underlying issue. Myofunctional therapy can have a foundational role in correcting speech problems, and can be considered a “building block” that is often part of achieving successful speech improvement. Due to the wide variation in causes for speech concerns and disorders, it is impossible to guarantee that myofunctional therapy alone will improve your speech. Treatment by a licensed speech pathologist may be necessary.

 

CANCELLATION POLICY

Short notice cancellations or missed appointments significantly affect our practice, often leaving us with appointment slots that are unable to be filled.
We understand that situations and circumstances can often arise unexpectedly, and we try to be as accommodating as possible, however, we ask that you please provide us with least a 48 hour advanced notice whenever possible.
For any appointments that are cancelled or changed with less than 48 hours of notice,
as well as any missed appointments (no-shows), a cancellation fee of the full session rate may be applied.

INSURANCE POLICY

Myofunctional therapy treatment is not generally covered by medical or dental insurance and our therapists are not considered in-network with any insurance company

It is important to know we will not pre-authorize or call your insurance company on your behalf. We will provide you with the necessary documents, but all communication must remain between you and your insurance company.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I hereby acknowledge that I have read and fully understand the treatment considerations and risks resented in this form. I also understand that there are problems that can occur and that actual results may differ from the anticipated results.

I acknowledge that I have discussed this form with the therapists at NW Myofunctional Therapy and have been given the opportunity to ask any questions. I have been asked to make a choice about my treatment. I hereby consent to the myofunctional therapy treatment proposed and authorize NW Myofunctional Therapy to provide the treatment. I understand that my treatment fee covers only treatment provided byNW Myofunctional Therapy and their practice staff, and that treatment provided by other dental or medical professionals is not included in the fee for my myofunctional therapy treatment.

CONSENT TO USE OF RECORDS

I understand that my myofunctional therapy sessions will be conducted over Simple Practice or Zoom tele-conferencing and that they may be recorded for liability purposes. I also understand that my myofunctional treatment records, including photographs and videos, may be used for purposes of research or professional/healthcare provider or patient education. No records or images will be used for marketing purposes or on our websites.

Mailing Address

We will need to send your treatment kit in order for you to start therapy. Please provide your mailing address below:

CONSENT TO UNDERGO MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY TREATMENT

I hereby consent to the making of diagnostic records, including photos, before, during and after myofunctional therapy treatment, and to NW Myofunctional Therapy and where appropriate, staff providing myofunctional therapy treatment I fully understand all the risks and guarantees associated with the treatment.