What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy uses guided exercises to address patterns involving the tongue, lips, swallowing, and breathing. An outside myofunctional therapist directs the therapy based on the patient’s individual needs.

For some patients, this type of therapy may complement dental, orthodontic, TMJ, or sleep-related care.

Why Would a Dentist Recommend Myofunctional Therapy?

A dentist may notice oral posture, swallowing, breathing, jaw or orthodontic patterns that deserve further evaluation. For some patients with sleep or breathing concerns, myofunctional therapy may also help strengthen the muscles of the soft palate and uvula, offering a conservative approach that may be considered before more invasive treatment options.

These findings do not mean therapy is automatically necessary. If Dr. Lawson believes an outside myofunctional evaluation could provide useful information or complement dental care already being considered, she may recommend a referral as one part of the broader treatment process.

Urbandale dentist, Dr. Jessica Lawson

What We Evaluate at Lawson Dentistry

Our role is to evaluate the dental, bite, airway, and jaw factors that may be connected to your symptoms. This helps us decide whether the concern belongs within dental care or may benefit from another provider’s evaluation.

During an evaluation, we may look at:

Nasal breathing issues with Myofunctional Therapy

Nasal
Breathing

tongue posture issues with Myofunctional Therapy

Tongue Posture
& Strength

swallowing problems with Myofunctional Therapy

Swallowing
Patterns

muscle tone with Myofunctional Therapy

Lip Seal & Facial
Muscle Tone

habit elimination with Myofunctional Therapy

Habit
Elimination

muscle function with Myofunctional Therapy

Muscle
Function

This broader view helps us plan the dental care we provide while involving other providers when appropriate.

dentist in Urbandale to make you smile
dentist in Urbandale to make you smile

When We May Recommend a Myofunctional Therapy Referral

If oral muscle patterns appear relevant to a patient’s dental, airway, jaw, or orthodontic concerns, Dr. Lawson may recommend an evaluation with an outside myofunctional therapist. That provider then handles the therapy-specific assessment, exercises, and progress visits.

Lawson Dentistry continues to manage the dental portion of care. When coordination is useful, we can consider how the outside therapy fits with the broader treatment plan.

What Happens After We Recommend a Referral?

A referral should make the next step clearer. We explain why an outside evaluation may be useful and how it relates to the dental concern that brought you to us.

The process generally looks like this:

  1. Dr. Lawson evaluates the dental, bite, airway, or jaw concern.
  2. We explain why myofunctional therapy may be worth discussing.
  3. You see an outside myofunctional therapist for therapy-specific evaluation and exercises.
  4. Lawson Dentistry continues managing the dental portion of your care when coordination is helpful.

Patient Testimonials

Real Experiences.
Real Results.

Patients from Urbandale, Des Moines, and beyond come to Dr. Lawson for Myofunctional Therapy and comprehensive care designed to improve breathing, oral function, and overall health. Here’s what they have to say.

See All Reviews

Katie S.

Dr. Lawson’s team is welcoming and warm from the moment you schedule an appointment. I appreciate the genuine concern and recommendations I’ve received, as well as future-forward options to maintain my health (without any sales pressure, ever!). I am comfortable bringing my concerns and questions forward and always learn something new at each visit. I also appreciate the regular investment in technology and the team staying up to date on techniques that make my visit more comfortable (like the smaller X-RAY machine that sped up the process). If you’re looking for a new dentist for adults or kids, check Lawson Dentistry out!
Katie S.

Jacob P.

Our family has been seeing Dr. Lawson for more than eight years, which in dentist time feels like a lifetime commitment. She earns that trust every single visit. She is attentive, kind, sharp in her field, and always pushing herself to grow. You never feel like she is phoning it in. You feel like she actually cares about your teeth as much as you do.

Her team makes the whole place feel like a small town greeting committee. You walk in and they are already smiling, already saying hi, already making you feel like you are exactly where you should be. They are courteous, patient, and genuinely happy to help with anything.

We trust Dr. Lawson with everything from routine checkups to bigger treatment plans. She explains what is happening, why it matters, and what to expect next. You leave with a clear roadmap and zero mystery about where your dental health is heading. That kind of clarity is rare.

Our family cannot thank her and her crew enough for not only the quality of their work but the way they deliver it. If you want a dentist who is skilled, thoughtful, trustworthy, and actually enjoyable to visit, Dr Lawson is the one.

Jacob P.

Cindy S.

Dr. Lawson truly cares about her patients. She will take the time to explain things to you and she is very detail-oriented. Dr. Lawson has a great staff working with her and they will make certain you are comfortable. If you have anxiety about dental procedures or you need a lot of work done I highly recommend Lawson Dental. I am so happy to have a dentist that I trust.
Cindy S.

Megan R.

We traveled from out of town to consult with Dr. Jessica Lawson concerning her ability to help my children breathe more freely using functional dentistry. She is qualified, competent, and compassionate. As a mother herself, she works well with children and makes them comfortable by explaining what they can expect throughout procedures. Dr. Lawson makes herself available to answer questions about choices and options in dental procedures. Worth the drive!
Megan R.

John T.

Dr. Lawson is not only highly skilled but also incredibly compassionate. She took the time to listen to my concerns, thoroughly explained every step of the procedure, and ensured I was comfortable throughout my visit. Her gentle approach and genuine care made a typically stressful experience incredibly smooth and even pleasant. The entire team at Lawson Dentistry goes above and beyond to help patients. The clinic itself is modern, clean, and equipped with the latest technology, further enhancing the overall experience.

I am deeply grateful for the outstanding care I received from Dr. Lawson and her team. They truly set the standard for dental care.

John T.

Jeremy K.

I’ve been with Dr. Lawson for more than 15 years and she and her team are hands down the best I’ve ever seen. She takes the time to get to know her patients well, often bringing up personal stories and shared memories from years before to put you at ease. I recently had a dental emergency and despite the rush following a holiday, she was able to work me into her schedule on short notice and give me the personal attention needed to resolve my issues. You won’t find a better dental practice!
Jeremy K.

Stephanie M.

Lawson Dentistry offers an exceptional experience, one that stands out for its commitment to patient well-being. Dr. Jessica Lawson’s approach, combining cutting-edge technology for oral health and quality sleep, demonstrates a true dedication to comprehensive care. Her personalized and compassionate manner makes it clear that she is genuinely invested in her patient’s best interests. I highly recommend Lawson Dentistry to anyone in search of top-tier dental care that goes above and beyond.
Stephanie M.

Morgan L.

I recently started seeing Dr. Lawson. From the first point of contact and throughout each appointment I’ve had, I’ve experienced the best customer service and support with her entire team. Dr. Lawson takes a wholistic approach to the care she provides. Her team asks questions and thoughtfully listens. She goes beyond clean teeth to understand how your whole mouth is functioning. Dr. Lawson addressed concerns I’ve had with my jaw for over a decade that no other dentist was able to help with. She recently performed a cosmetic bonding that turned out beautifully. I’ve also been really pleased with how well her whole team works together. I would highly recommend this practice.
Morgan L.

Christy H.

Dr. Lawson and her entire team have been amazing to work with over the past 6 years. My family has received outstanding care during our time here. I always feel like Dr. Lawson has my personal interests & financial preferences in mind when making recommendations about care; she really sees the big picture. In addition, the entire team at the office is friendly and helpful.
Christy H.

How Myofunctional Therapy Can Fit With Dental Care

Myofunctional therapy is not a replacement for dental, orthodontic, TMJ, or medical sleep care. It may serve as one supportive part of a larger plan when oral function and muscle patterns are relevant.

TMJ and Jaw Function

Jaw pain, clenching, grinding, and muscle tension can involve several contributing factors. During TMJ treatment in Des Moines, we evaluate the bite, jaw joints, and muscle function and may recommend outside myofunctional therapy when appropriate.

Sleep and Airway Concerns

Mouth breathing, restless sleep, snoring, and other sleep-related symptoms deserve careful evaluation. Myofunctional therapy may support oral function for some patients, but it does not diagnose or replace medical treatment for a sleep disorder.

For younger patients, our children’s sleep-breathing treatment focuses on identifying dental and airway-related concerns and helping families understand the appropriate next steps.

Orthodontic and Growth Guidance

Oral posture, breathing habits, bite development, and orthodontic stability can interact. During orthodontic treatment in Urbandale, we may identify patterns that warrant an outside myofunctional therapy referral.

A hygienist at Lawson Dentistry talking with a patient

Myofunctional Therapy for Children and Adults

Both children and adults may be referred when oral function is relevant to a broader concern. The reasons can differ by age, development, symptoms, and treatment goals.

In children, we may notice mouth breathing, oral posture concerns, bite development issues, or sleep-breathing symptoms. Adults may bring concerns such as jaw tension, clenching, mouth breathing, or orthodontic stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Myofunctional Therapy FAQs

Patients often want to understand what Lawson Dentistry provides and when an outside referral becomes part of the plan. These answers clarify our role and what to expect.

Request Appointment

No. Lawson Dentistry does not currently provide myofunctional therapy in-office. Dr. Jessica Lawson may identify concerns that make a referral appropriate and recommend an outside myofunctional therapist for the therapy-specific evaluation and exercise program. We continue managing the dental portion of your care and can coordinate recommendations with the outside provider when that supports the overall plan.

A dentist may notice oral posture, swallowing, breathing, jaw, or orthodontic patterns that deserve further evaluation. These findings do not mean therapy is automatically necessary. If Dr. Lawson believes an outside myofunctional evaluation could provide useful information or complement dental care already being considered, she may recommend a referral as one part of the broader treatment process.

No. Myofunctional therapy uses guided exercises to address oral muscle patterns and function, while oral appliance therapy uses a custom dental device for a specific dental or sleep-related purpose. Lawson Dentistry provides oral appliance therapy when appropriate. Myofunctional therapy itself is handled by an outside therapist who directs the exercises and monitors progress.

Yes. Children may be referred when oral posture, mouth breathing, swallowing patterns, orthodontic development, or sleep-breathing concerns suggest that an outside evaluation could be useful. We first assess the dental and developmental factors within our scope. If another provider’s input may support the child’s care, we explain why a myofunctional therapy referral may be appropriate.

It may support a broader treatment plan for some patients, but it is not a stand-alone treatment for every TMJ or sleep concern. Jaw discomfort and sleep-related breathing symptoms can have different causes, so appropriate evaluation matters. Dr. Lawson can assess the dental factors involved and determine whether outside myofunctional therapy may complement the care being considered.

Start With an Airway, TMJ, or
Functional Dental Evaluation

Start With an Airway, TMJ, or Functional Dental Evaluation

If you are concerned about mouth breathing, jaw tension, sleep-related symptoms, or oral function, we can evaluate the dental factors involved and help determine the appropriate next step. Call Lawson Dentistry at (515) 278-4366 or request an appointment below to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Jessica Lawson in Urbandale.