Myofunctional Therapy in Pittsburgh

Functional Wellness Through Oral Muscle Balance

At Ott Family Dentistry, technology means more than machines — it includes modern therapies that support long-term health with minimal intervention.

Myofunctional therapy is one of the most natural, non-invasive tools we use. Through guided oral exercises, we help patients retrain how they breathe, swallow, and rest — unlocking better function, posture, and wellness at every age.

Led by Ashlee Freidman, our certified myofunctional therapist, this service reflects our full-body approach to dentistry and health.

What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy is a series of personalized exercises that restore balance to the muscles of the face, jaw, and tongue. It supports healthy breathing, swallowing, and oral posture — all of which are essential to long-term dental, airway, and whole-body health.

Unlike surgical or pharmaceutical solutions, myofunctional therapy works with the body’s natural function, gently correcting harmful habits at the root.

Why It Matters

These small, subconscious habits have a big impact:

• Mouth breathing can alter facial growth and sleep quality
  
• Tongue thrust can push teeth out of alignment
  
• Incorrect swallowing can affect digestion and jaw health
  
• Poor muscle tone can lead to clenching, fatigue, and tension
  
• Open-mouth posture can slow growth and limit airway development
  

Through therapy, we restore natural patterns — improving not just oral health, but overall wellbeing.

Explore our airway-centric approach ›

Conditions We Support

We often recommend myofunctional therapy as part of a treatment plan for:

• Mouth breathing or nasal obstruction
  
• Tongue ties or lip ties
  
• TMJ tension and facial pain
  
• Orthodontic relapse
  
• Speech issues related to tongue posture
  
• Pediatric growth and development concerns
  
• Postural issues tied to jaw imbalance
  
• Sleep-disordered breathing

It’s a highly personalized process — and always tailored to your (or your child’s) specific anatomy, goals, and timeline.

A Biological Approach to Function

Myofunctional therapy aligns beautifully with our biological philosophy. Rather than masking symptoms, we guide patients toward better function through:

• Breathwork and nasal breathing retraining
  
• Tongue resting position training
  
• Proper chewing and swallowing techniques
  
• Jaw, face, and neck muscle exercises
  
• Integration with orthodontic care, TMJ therapy, and laser dentistry

This makes myofunctional therapy a valuable tool in improving results across multiple areas of care — without adding discomfort, downtime, or medication.

Meet Ashlee Freidman

Ashlee is a certified myofunctional therapist with advanced training in oral function, airway development, and therapeutic oral exercises. Her calm, collaborative style makes therapy feel approachable and effective — even for young children or those who’ve struggled with other interventions.

Ashlee works alongside our clinical team to ensure therapy is integrated into your full care plan.

What to Expect

A typical program begins with a gentle, functional assessment. From there, you’ll receive a personalized therapy plan and guided instruction from Ashlee.

Each session is:

• Calm and supportive
  
• Focused on achievable progress
  
• Adaptable to both children and adults
  
• Often done in-office or via telehealth
  

Many patients begin to notice improvements in breathing, sleep, posture, and comfort within a few weeks.

Ready to Explore Functional Therapy?

If you or your child are struggling with breathing, oral habits, or long-term bite and jaw concerns, myofunctional therapy may be the missing link.

We’ll help you understand what’s going on — and offer a gentle, whole-body plan to move forward.

Contact us to schedule a consultation with Ashlee today.