Myofunctional Therapy Education & Training

Dr. Lawson has spent much of her career studying the relationship between breathing, bite function, and sleep. That advanced training informs how she treats jaw pain, designs oral appliances, recommends Myofunctional Therapy when appropriate, and guides healthy jaw development in growing children for patients throughout the Des Moines area.

It also changes what she looks for. During comprehensive dental exams in Des Moines, airway and muscle function screening is an important part of the evaluation. This allows potential concerns to be identified early, often before they contribute to more significant problems affecting sleep, jaw function, or long-term oral health.

What We Evaluate

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

Urbandale dentist, Dr. Jessica Lawson

Myofunctional Therapy in Urbandale

Before recommending Myofunctional Therapy, Dr. Lawson performs a comprehensive functional assessment. That includes tongue posture and mobility, lip seal at rest, breathing pattern, swallowing mechanics, bite relationship, and a review of your sleep and symptom history.

Once the evaluation is complete, she will design a personalized therapy program that may address one or more of the following:

– Nasal breathing retraining
– Tongue posture and strength
– Correct swallowing patterns
– Lip seal and facial muscle tone
– Habit elimination, such as thumb sucking or tongue thrust
– Muscle function before and after a tongue tie release

  • Nasal breathing retraining
  • Tongue posture and strength
  • Correct swallowing patterns
  • Lip seal and facial muscle tone
  • Habit elimination, such as thumb sucking or tongue thrust
  • Muscle function before and after a tongue tie release

Myofunctional Therapy is a series of short exercises practiced at home, usually for a few minutes twice a day, with periodic visits to monitor progress, refine technique, and advance the program. Most treatment plans continue for several months. Dr. Lawson frequently combines Myofunctional Therapy with an oral appliance, a bite orthotic, or myofunctional orthodontic appliances such as Myobrace and HealthyStart, because improving muscle function helps support long-term treatment results.

For children, Dr. Lawson offers Growth Guidance, an approach that uses the natural window of jaw development to encourage healthier facial growth and airway development rather than correcting problems after growth is complete.

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.

What Can Myofunctional Therapy Fix?

Most adults do not arrive at our Urbandale practice asking about Myofunctional Therapy or tongue posture. They arrive because something hurts, something is wearing down, or they are exhausted and have run out of explanations.

If you have any of these issues, a myofunctional and airway evaluation in Urbandale may be the missing piece:

  • Snoring or noisy breathing at night
  • Waking up tired after a full night of sleep
  • Morning headaches
  • Clenching and grinding
  • Jaw pain, clicking, or popping
  • Chronic mouth breathing
  • Dry mouth or sore throat on waking
  • Teeth that shifted after braces or aligners
  • Crowded or narrow teeth
  • Snoring or noisy breathing at night
  • Waking up tired after a full night of sleep
  • Morning headaches
  • Clenching and grinding
  • Jaw pain, clicking, or popping
  • Chronic mouth breathing
  • Dry mouth or sore throat on waking
  • Teeth that shifted after braces or aligners
  • Crowded or narrow teeth

These patterns often overlap, and the right starting point depends on which one is affecting you most. People experiencing jaw pain and headaches often benefit from TMJ treatment, while those struggling with snoring and daytime fatigue may be better served by sleep apnea treatment in Des Moines.

Myofunctional Therapy does not replace treatment for a diagnosed medical condition. Instead, it works alongside other therapies by improving the muscle function and movement patterns that contribute to ongoing symptoms, helping support more stable, long-term results.

A hygienist at Lawson Dentistry talking with a patient

Growth Guidance for Children

In children, breathing and muscle patterns influence how the face and jaws grow. A child who breathes through the mouth develops differently from a child who breathes through the nose, and those differences affect airway size, palate width, and how much room the adult teeth will have.

That makes early recognition valuable because the opportunity to influence jaw and facial growth is limited. Parents often notice the signs without realizing they may be connected: snoring, restless sleep, a mouth that hangs open at rest, dark circles, bedwetting beyond the expected age, difficulty concentrating, or crowded teeth that develop early. Dr. Jessica Lawson evaluates these patterns as part of a comprehensive assessment to determine whether airway concerns may be affecting healthy growth and development. When these patterns are identified early, treatment for sleep-disordered breathing in children may help support healthier growth and development.

Learn More About Myofunctional
Therapy in Des Moines

Learn More About Myofunctional Therapy in Des Moines

If you wake up feeling tired, struggle with jaw pain, have noticed your teeth shifting, or your child snores and never seems well rested, Myofunctional Therapy may be part of the solution. Call Lawson Dentistry at (515) 278-4366 to schedule a comprehensive evaluation to get started.