Myofunctional Therapy
Not All Myofunctional Therapy Is the Same
Myofunctional therapy can be a powerful tool for improving breathing, sleep, and oral function — when it is done correctly and integrated with airway-focused care.
Research shows that myofunctional therapy alone can reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea by approximately 50% in some patients, particularly in mild to moderate cases. However, outcomes depend heavily on proper diagnosis, therapist training, and integration with other airway treatments.
At Western Sleep Solutions, myofunctional therapy is not treated as a standalone exercise program — it is an integral part of comprehensive airway and sleep care.
A Higher Level of Training and Expertise
Our myofunctional therapy is led by Kendra, whose training and clinical approach go far beyond standard myofunctional certification.
Kendra has pursued extensive advanced education in:
- Oral and facial muscle function
- Tongue posture and airway mechanics
- Sleep-disordered breathing
- Nasal breathing and respiratory physiology
Her depth of training allows her to evaluate the mouth and airway as a functional system, not isolated muscles.
Advanced Breathing Training — Beyond the Mouth
In addition to oral myofunctional therapy, Kendra is trained in therapeutic breathing techniques, including the Buteyko Breathing Method.
She trained in Ireland under Patrick McKeown, one of the world’s leading educators in functional breathing and respiratory health.
This training allows her to address:
Chronic mouth breathing
Dysfunctional breathing patterns
Poor carbon dioxide tolerance
Inefficient nasal breathing
Breathing-related sleep disturbances
Addressing breathing patterns is essential — myofunctional therapy without breathing retraining often leaves airway improvement incomplete.
How Myofunctional Therapy Supports the Airway
When properly applied, myofunctional therapy can:
Improve tongue posture and strength
Support nasal breathing
Reduce mouth breathing
Improve upper airway muscle tone
Enhance the effectiveness of sleep apnea treatments
In many cases, myofunctional therapy helps stabilize and prolong the benefits of orthodontic expansion, clear aligners, mandibular advancement devices, and other airway therapies.
TMJ Stability and Jaw Function
Myofunctional therapy can also play an important role in stabilizing the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
By improving:
Tongue posture
Muscle balance
Jaw positioning and function
Myofunctional therapy may help reduce excessive strain on the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. This can be particularly helpful for patients with:
Jaw pain or tension
Clenching or grinding
Joint instability related to airway or bite issues
TMJ health is closely linked to airway function, and addressing both together leads to more stable outcomes.
Individualized, Airway-Centered Care
Myofunctional therapy at Western Sleep Solutions is:
Customized to each patient’s anatomy and airway needs
Coordinated with orthodontic and medical sleep care
Guided by functional assessments and objective data
Focused on long-term breathing, sleep, and joint stability
We do not offer one-size-fits-all programs or generic exercise lists.
Why Western Sleep Solutions?
Airway-first treatment philosophy
Advanced myofunctional and breathing expertise
Integration with orthodontic and sleep apnea care
Evidence-informed, outcomes-driven approach
Fixed Orthodontic Expanders
Creating Space for the Tongue, Airway, and Nasal Breathing
Fixed orthodontic expanders are powerful tools used to widen the jaws, improve tongue space, and support proper facial growth. When used thoughtfully and at the right time, expansion can have a significant impact on breathing, sleep, and airway development.
At Western Sleep Solutions, expanders are used with an airway-first philosophy, not just to straighten teeth.
Why Expansion Matters for Breathing
A narrow jaw limits:
- Space for the tongue
- Nasal airflow
- Forward facial growth
- Stable airway support
This often contributes to:
- Mouth breathing
- Crowding and bite problems
- Snoring
- Sleep-disordered breathing
By expanding the jaws, we can address structural limitations that affect both dental alignment and airway health.
The Roof of the Mouth Is the Floor of the Nose
One of the most important concepts in airway-focused orthodontics is this:
The roof of the mouth (palate) is the floor of the nose.
When the upper jaw is narrow:
- The nasal cavity is also narrow
- Airflow resistance increases
- Nasal breathing becomes more difficult
Expanding the upper jaw also expands the nasal airway, supporting improved nasal breathing, oxygenation, and sleep quality.
Why We Expand Both the Upper and Lower Jaws
At Western Sleep Solutions, it is our clinical policy to evaluate — and when appropriate — expand both the upper and lower jaws.
Upper-only expansion often:
- Does not create sufficient total tongue space
- Can leave a jaw size discrepancy
- May compromise bite stability
- Limits long-term airway support
Because the tongue rests in both arches, true airway improvement requires balanced expansion of the entire oral cavity, not just the upper jaw.
By expanding both jaws when indicated, we can:
- Create more complete tongue space
- Improve jaw harmony and bite function
- Support forward facial growth
- Promote more stable, long-term airway outcomes
This balanced approach helps avoid creating or worsening jaw discrepancies and improves the durability of treatment results.
Tongue Space and Forward Growth
Fixed expanders help create:
- Adequate room for proper tongue posture
- Improved jaw balance
- Support for forward facial growth rather than downward collapse
When the tongue has enough space to rest properly, it can better support airway stability and nasal breathing.
Impact on Tonsils and Adenoids
Research has shown that maxillary expansion can positively influence airway tissues.
Studies by Dr. Audrey Yoon and colleagues have demonstrated that palatal expansion has been associated with significant reductions in tonsil and adenoid hypertrophy, with reported improvement in up to 95% of pediatric patients studied.
This highlights how jaw structure directly influences airway tissues and breathing function.
Part of a Comprehensive Airway Plan
Fixed expanders at Western Sleep Solutions are often combined with:
- Myofunctional therapy
- Clear aligner therapy
- Sleep studies with MD interpretation
- Mandibular advancement devices
- Breathing and nasal optimization
Our goal is not simply wider arches — it’s better breathing, better sleep, and healthier long-term development.
A Thoughtful, Individualized Approach
Not every patient needs expansion, and not every patient needs both jaws expanded.
We carefully evaluate:
- Airway anatomy
- Tongue posture
- Growth patterns
- Bite relationships
- Sleep quality
before recommending treatment.
Why Western Sleep Solutions?
- Airway-first orthodontic philosophy
- Balanced upper and lower expansion protocols
- Evidence-informed clinical standards
- Integrated dental and sleep medicine care