Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Penrith

Best Western Dental Centre offers orofacial myofunctional assessment and therapy with oral health therapist Antoinette Dib at our Cambridge Park practice in Penrith.

This service focuses on tongue and lip function, oral resting posture, swallowing patterns and oral habits. An initial assessment helps determine whether a personalised exercise and habit-training program is appropriate for you or your child.

We offer assessments for children from approximately 5 years of age, teenagers and adults, with suitability assessed individually.

To book an assessment, call 02 4731 4655 or enquire through our appointment booking page.

Book a Myofunctional Assessment

What is orofacial myofunctional therapy?

Orofacial myofunctional therapy, sometimes called oral myology or myofunctional therapy, involves guided exercises and habit retraining for the tongue, lips and other muscles around the mouth.

A personalised program may focus on:

• Tongue resting position.
• Comfortable lip closure.
• Tongue and lip movement and coordination.
• Swallowing patterns.
• Oral habits, such as thumb or finger sucking.
• Nasal-breathing habits, where medically appropriate.

Exercises are selected after assessment, with home practice and follow-up appointments forming part of the program.

This service focuses on oral function and habits. It does not replace dental treatment, orthodontic treatment, medical airway assessment or speech pathology care.

Who may benefit from an assessment?

An assessment may be appropriate for patients with concerns such as:

• An open-mouth resting posture or habitual mouth breathing.
• Difficulty keeping the lips comfortably closed.
• Tongue posture concerns.
• Tongue thrust or an atypical swallowing pattern.
• Difficulty coordinating tongue and lip movements.
• Persistent thumb or finger sucking.
• Oral function concerns identified during orthodontic treatment.

These signs do not automatically mean therapy is needed. We assess the individual’s concerns and explain suitable options, including monitoring or referral where appropriate.

We offer assessments for children from approximately 5 years of age, teenagers and adults. Suitability depends on the patient’s ability to participate in the assessment, understand the exercises and practise them at home.

Younger children may be considered individually where appropriate. Parents or carers may need to help children with home practice.

What happens at the first appointment?

The initial assessment is scheduled for 60 minutes.

Antoinette will discuss your concerns, goals and relevant medical and dental history. The assessment may include observations of:

• Tongue and lip resting posture.
• Tongue and lip movement.
• Lip seal and oral muscle coordination.
• Swallowing patterns.
• Oral habits.
• Reported breathing concerns.
• Relevant dental or orthodontic treatment.

After the assessment, we will explain the findings, whether therapy is appropriate, what a program would involve and the anticipated fees.

Where appropriate, the dental team may also discuss whether an appliance such as Myobrace could form part of the care plan.

If further investigation is needed, we may recommend assessment by a dentist, GP, ENT specialist, speech pathologist or another appropriate health professional.

What does a therapy program involve?

Follow-up appointments focus on an individual program based on the assessment findings. This may include tongue and lip exercises, resting-posture awareness, swallowing-pattern training and strategies for changing oral habits.

Antoinette will explain how to practise the recommended activities at home. Regular home practice is an important part of the program.

Follow-up therapy and progress appointments are generally scheduled for 45 minutes. Visits may initially be arranged every two to three weeks, with timing adjusted according to your needs and progress.

The program may extend over several months. The number of appointments varies and is reviewed throughout treatment, rather than requiring every patient to commit to the same number of sessions. Outcomes vary between individuals.

Mouth breathing and nasal-breathing concerns

Mouth breathing can have several causes, including nasal obstruction, allergies or other medical concerns. Exercises cannot remove a blocked airway.

If you or your child has difficulty breathing through the nose, persistent snoring or concerns about breathing during sleep, a GP or specialist assessment may be needed before or alongside therapy.

Nasal-breathing activities are considered only when medically appropriate. Myofunctional therapy does not replace medical assessment or treatment for sleep apnoea.

Myofunctional therapy and orthodontics

Myofunctional assessment may be considered when tongue posture, lip function or oral habits are a concern during orthodontic care.

Myofunctional therapy and orthodontic treatment have different roles. Exercises focus on muscle function and habits, while braces, aligners and other orthodontic appliances address tooth position and bite.

Therapy does not replace orthodontic treatment or prescribed retainers. Where appropriate, Antoinette will work alongside our dental team as part of an individual care plan.

Will I need Myobrace?

An appliance such as Myobrace may be considered by the dental team for selected patients as part of a broader treatment plan.

It is not recommended for every patient. Many therapy activities involve exercises and habit training without an appliance.

If an appliance is recommended, we will discuss its purpose, alternatives, fees and follow-up requirements before treatment begins. Myobrace appliances are charged separately, depending on the appliance required.

Tongue-tie and oral function

If restricted tongue movement is suspected, a dental assessment may be recommended. A myofunctional assessment does not automatically mean tongue-tie surgery is needed.

For selected patients, exercises may be considered within a broader care plan before or after treatment. The need for any procedure, its alternatives and associated risks require separate assessment and consent.

Infant feeding concerns require an age-appropriate assessment pathway, which may include a lactation consultant and medical assessment.

Meet Antoinette Dib

Antoinette Dib is an oral health therapist with a Bachelor of Oral Health from the University of Sydney.

Antoinette has undertaken additional training in orofacial myofunctional therapy through the Australian Academy of Orofacial Myology. She incorporates this training into personalised assessments and exercise programs, working alongside our dental team and other health professionals where appropriate.

She takes time to understand each patient’s concerns, explain the recommended activities and review progress throughout the program.

Fees and appointments

Please contact our reception team for current assessment and follow-up fees.