Angela Zappone 206-498-7763
Angela Zappone 206-498-7763
Dental Hygienist, Myofunctional Therapist, Certified Craniosacral Therapist, Doula & Nutritional Counselor. With 30+ yrs of experience! As a Craniosacral & Myofunctional Therapist, Angie uniquely addresses Orofacial & TMJ dysfunction, through myofunctional exercises/therapy & Cranio to release muscle & fascial tensions
Orofacial Myofunctional therapy is a personalized therapy program to correct improper muscle patterns of the orofacial complex (tongue, mouth, head, neck and facial muscles). We call these dysfunctions Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs). Myofunctional therapists identify abnormal patterns and muscle compensations, then retrain the musculature by strengthening and balancing the muscles of the tongue cheek, face and throat with specialized exercises. This promotes optimal function, and helps guide normal orofacial growth and development.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is basically highly specialized physical therapy for the mouth, face, and jaws to help them correctly and optimally function together. Myofunctional therapy can have profound effects on orofacial musculoskeletal growth and airway development, especially when done as a child (though adults will absolutely benefit as well). The location of your tongue at rest and proper nasal breathing help guide the growth of the jaws, airway and facial development. Addressing ideal lip seal, tongue resting posture, correct swallow pattern and proper nasal breathing is the core of orofacial myofunctional therapy. Helping to eliminate the dysfunctional patterns & habits that have developed and retrain and habituate the new healthier orofacial patterns is what its all about!
What Are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) Any abnormal patterns that develop involving the orofacial complex that interfere with normal function, growth, and development of the mouth, jaws, face, lips, tongue and airway. The most Influential etiology, is the inability to properly breathe through the nose.
Orofacial Myofunctional therapy is a personalized therapy program to correct improper muscle patterns of the orofacial complex (tongue, mouth, head, neck and facial muscles). We call these dysfunctions Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs). Myofunctional therapists identify abnormal patterns and muscle compensations, then retrain the musculature by strengthening and balancing the muscles of the tongue cheek, face and throat with specialized exercises. This promotes optimal function, and helps guide normal orofacial growth and development.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is basically highly specialized physical therapy for the mouth, face, and jaws to help them correctly and optimally function together. Myofunctional therapy can have profound effects on orofacial musculoskeletal growth and airway development, especially when done as a child (though adults will absolutely benefit as well). The location of your tongue at rest and proper nasal breathing help guide the growth of the jaws, airway and facial development. Addressing ideal lip seal, tongue resting posture, correct swallow pattern and proper nasal breathing is the core of orofacial myofunctional therapy. Helping to eliminate the dysfunctional patterns & habits that have developed and retrain and habituate the new healthier orofacial patterns is what its all about!
What Are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) Any abnormal patterns that develop involving the orofacial complex that interfere with normal function, growth, and development of the mouth, jaws, face, lips, tongue and airway. The most Influential etiology, is the inability to properly breathe through the nose.
The Impact of OMDs
The tongue and all the muscles of the orofacial complex must be working correctly together to eat, drink, swallow and even breathe correctly. If they are not, bad habits and muscle tensions develop that affect function, comfort, physical appearance, growth and development.
The adverse effects of OMDs can be wide ranging and may significantly disrupt normal skeletal development of the face, jaws, and airway. OMDs may lead to problems with breathing and quality oxygen intake, focus, and concentration, latching and breast feeding, chewing, swallowing, nutrition, digestion, jaw and teeth alignment, TMJ pain and dysfunction, periodontal disease, and facial aesthetics. Not addressing orofacial myofunctional disorders can adversely influence outcome of orthodontic treatment.
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders affect more than just the head and neck. There is a solid correlation between OMDs and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in kids and adults, as well as chronic exhaustion, ADD/ADHD, digestive issues, forward head and neck posture, and tensions in the shoulders, head and neck, that can potentially affect the spine. Speech and articulation issues often occur, which can affect communication and self-confidence. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy has been shown in literature to improve oxygen levels in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) It was shown to decrease the "apnea-hypopnea" by 50% in adults and 62% in children!
Possible Causes of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
Angie brings 30 plus years of healthcare experience, and her unique perspective from the dental, pediatric/medical, craniosacral, child birth, research, and nutrition professions to each and every appointment. She has experienced OMDs and airway issues with her own family, and worked with challenging cases in each of her fields. As a dental hygienist, orofacial myologist and craniosacral therapist, she understands how the fascia in the orofacial complex interconnects with the body as a whole, and the importance of looking at the entire picture. She believes a team attitude is very important, and works to understand her client (and parent's) needs, as well as goals and treatments identified by other specialist.
Angie integrates all of her unique specialties into her orofacial myofunctional therapy appointments. She thoroughly investigate the individual's Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder, and evaluates habits, nasal breathing function, tongue, bite and dental alignment, orofacial structure and other issues contributing to the dysfunction. She then designs a personalized treatment plan to retrain and re-educate the muscles and neuromuscular communication of the mouth, jaws, face, head and neck. Minimum of Twice daily home practice is recommended for the best results! The goal is to establish new healthy patterns, which over time become the norm. As a craniosacral therapist, Angie also evaluates and addresses discomfort and atypical muscle and fascial tension of the head, face and neck. Oral habits such as thumb sucking, pen or blanket chewing and atypical breathing patterns and eating patterns must also be evaluated.
Angie includes craniosacral release as part of her orofacial myofunction therapy because tension and pain in the face, jaws, and neck go hand and hand with OMDs. This saves you the extra appointment time and cost of an additional craniosacral therapist.
Angie looks at each of her clients holistically and integrates craniosacral therapy into her myofunctional sessions when needed. She is able to release abnormal fascial tensions that often arise with orofacial myofunctional disorders through craniosacral therapy and neuromuscular re-education as a certified craniosacral therapist.
When orofacial myofunctional disorders are present, proper swallowing and breathing patterns are difficult. Other muscles in the face, throat and head will compensate creating adverse tensions in the fascia and muscle strain. There is often a head forward presentation, and imbalances in structure. This creates undo strain on the jaw, face, head and neck muscles, which in turn can cause tension and strain in multiple areas of the body. The fascia is basically a large sheet covering the entire body, so tension in one area can have deleterious effects in other areas. This is particularly true when a significant frenum or tongue tie is present. Craniosacral therapy is often recommended by airway-educated dentists and specialist,and myofunctional therapist in addition to myofunctional therapy. The release of adverse fascial and muscle tensions helps with neuromuscular reeducation, relaxation, fluidity and detox of the brain, TMJ tensions, and general pain relief of the head and neck. Angie feels craniosacral therapy can significantly enhances myofunctional therapy success, so she includes 3 free craniosacral visits in her orofacial myofunctional program.
Depending on the Orofacial Myofunctional disorders present, Multiple specialist may be involved in the treatment; ENTs, Dentists, Hygienists, Orthodontists, Pediatricians, and Speech Language Pathologist may be working together. The underlying reasons an OMD developed MUST be addressed for orofacial myofunctional therapy or orthodontics to be successful.
The ability to breathe correctly through the nose is critical to successful myofunctional therapy. If a person is unable to nose breath, you can try and retrain the musculature or correct dental malocclusion, BUT the habits which have formed to compensate for the inability to nose breathe, will continue to effect oral resting posture and tongue placement.
The inability to breathe through the nose is a KEY factor in the cause of OMDs. Chronic mouth breathing changes the normal growth and development of the orofacial complex, because the tongue, lips, and jaw can not sit in their natural resting position and help guide growth and development. Not only does breathing through the nose clean and filter the air, it delivers critical nitric oxide to the blood and body, helping to dilate vessels & supplying quality oxygen..
Other potential issues that need to be addressed are habits like thumb/digit sucking, pacifier & tippy cup use, chewing on clothes, pens, blankets etc.
Finding Connor Deegan is one of the most eye-opening stories demonstrating the potential detrimental effects of orofacial myofunctional disorders. It's the story of a boy struggling to cope with many social and behavioral challenges. His family could not find any answers until someone looked at Connors challenges through a different lens and addressed ALL the underlying factors.
Total Therapy Cost Vary Based On the Severity and Complexity Of The Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders and Duration of Treatment. 6-12 month is average, visits recommended. Initially few visits - weekly. But then twice a month.
Limited therapy to prepare for tongue-tie release (Frenectomy)
This website and the information therein is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition or disease, it is for information only. We recommend before pursuing any healthcare therapy or treatment that you seek the advice of your primary licensed health care provider.
Feel free to reach out with any questions or inquiries you might have.
11416 Slater Avenue Northeast, Kirkland, Washington 98033, United States