What Happens During a Myofunctional Therapy Evaluation? A Step-by-Step Guide
Estimated Reading Time: 8–10 minutes
If you've been referred to an orofacial myofunctional therapist by your dentist, orthodontist, speech-language pathologist, or another healthcare provider, you may have questions about what happens next.
What does the therapist look for? Will your child need to perform exercises? Does an evaluation automatically mean committing to treatment?
These are all reasonable questions.
A myofunctional therapy evaluation is an opportunity to better understand how the muscles of the mouth, face, and tongue are functioning and whether certain patterns may benefit from additional support.
At Face Value Myofunctional Therapy, the goal is to understand the whole picture, not simply identify a symptom.
An evaluation is a starting point, not a commitment to therapy
Every person has unique oral habits, muscle patterns, and developmental experiences.
Some people seek an evaluation because their child consistently rests with their mouth open. Others are referred because of tongue thrust, swallowing concerns, orthodontic questions, or difficulty maintaining appropriate tongue posture.
An evaluation helps determine whether these concerns are related to oral function and whether myofunctional therapy may be appropriate.
Importantly, not everyone who receives an evaluation needs therapy.
Sometimes the most valuable outcome is identifying another concern that should be evaluated by a dentist, physician, ENT specialist, or other qualified professional.
Step 1: Understanding your history and concerns
An evaluation may begin with a conversation about your health history, current concerns, and everyday habits.
For children, parents may be asked about:
Mouth breathing during the day or at night
Snoring or restless sleep
Thumb sucking, pacifier use, or other oral habits
Tongue posture and swallowing patterns
Speech or feeding concerns
Previous or ongoing orthodontic treatment
For adults, the conversation may also include long-standing oral habits, swallowing patterns, dental history, and functional concerns.
These observations are not diagnoses on their own. They help establish a clearer picture of what may be happening.
Step 2: Observing how the mouth and facial muscles function
An orofacial myofunctional evaluation may include observing how the tongue, lips, jaw, and facial muscles work together.
Depending on the person's age and concerns, the therapist may look at:
Tongue resting posture
Where does the tongue naturally rest when the mouth is relaxed? Does the person have difficulty maintaining a comfortable resting position?
Lip closure
Can the lips rest together comfortably without excessive effort or strain?
Tongue mobility
How freely does the tongue move in different directions? Are there limitations that appear to affect function?
Swallowing patterns
What happens when the person swallows? Does the tongue push forward or between the teeth? Are other muscles compensating?
Oral coordination
How well do the muscles work together during simple movements and functional activities?
The evaluation should be individualized and explained throughout the appointment.
Step 3: Discussing breathing patterns and airway concerns
Breathing is an important part of the conversation because oral resting posture and breathing patterns are closely connected.
For example, a child who consistently breathes through their mouth may find it difficult to maintain a closed-mouth resting posture.
However, mouth breathing is not always simply a habit.
Nasal congestion, allergies, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, and other medical concerns may contribute to difficulty breathing through the nose.
This is why collaboration matters.
Myofunctional therapy does not replace medical airway evaluation or treatment. If symptoms suggest an underlying breathing or sleep disorder, an appropriate medical assessment may be necessary.
Step 4: Looking at tongue mobility and possible restrictions
Some patients are referred because a dentist or another provider has concerns about a possible tongue tie.
During an evaluation, the therapist may consider how tongue mobility relates to functional activities such as swallowing and resting posture.
A tongue tie's appearance alone does not determine whether a procedure is necessary.
Any decision involving a release or other medical or dental procedure should be made with appropriately qualified professionals after a comprehensive assessment.
Step 5: Reviewing findings and discussing next steps
Once the evaluation is complete, the therapist can explain what was observed and discuss potential recommendations.
Depending on the findings, next steps may include:
An individualized myofunctional therapy plan
Home practice designed around specific functional goals
Collaboration with an orthodontist, dentist, ENT, or another provider
Further evaluation of an underlying medical concern
Monitoring rather than beginning therapy
A thoughtful recommendation should explain what concerns were identified, why they matter, and how progress would be evaluated.
How should you prepare for the evaluation?
You generally do not need to prepare extensively.
It can help to bring relevant referral information, a list of concerns, and questions you would like answered.
Parents may find it useful to think about when they notice certain behaviors.
For example, does your child breathe through their mouth only during sleep, or throughout the day? Is an oral habit occasional, or does it happen consistently?
For children, keep the conversation positive and low-pressure. The evaluation is not a test they can pass or fail.
Questions worth asking during your appointment
An evaluation should leave you feeling informed.
Consider asking:
What functional concerns did you observe?
Could something else be contributing to these patterns?
Would another healthcare professional need to evaluate my child?
What would therapy involve if recommended?
How would we measure progress?
What happens if therapy is not needed?
You should understand the reasoning behind any proposed plan before deciding how to proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a myofunctional therapy evaluation hurt?
A typical functional evaluation is observational and may include simple movements or swallowing activities. Ask your therapist ahead of time about any specific procedures.
Will my child start exercises immediately?
Not necessarily. Recommendations depend on the evaluation findings. Some patients may benefit from additional medical or dental assessment before beginning therapy.
Can a myofunctional therapist diagnose sleep apnea?
No. Sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing disorders require evaluation by appropriately qualified medical professionals.
Do I need a referral?
Referral requirements vary by practice and insurance arrangements. Contact Face Value to learn about its current scheduling process.
Understanding your next step
A myofunctional therapy evaluation is about understanding how oral function may be contributing to the concerns you or your child are experiencing.
It should provide clarity, realistic recommendations, and a better understanding of whether therapy could be appropriate.
If you've noticed persistent mouth breathing, tongue posture concerns, swallowing patterns, or oral habits, an initial conversation can help you determine where to begin.
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call
Have questions about whether an evaluation makes sense? Connect with Face Value Myofunctional Therapy to discuss your concerns and learn more about the evaluation process.
Schedule a consultation with Face Value Myofunctional Therapy to learn more.
About the Author
Emilee Hyland, RDH Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist
Emilee Hyland is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist at Face Value Myofunctional Therapy. She works with children, teens, and adults to address functional patterns involving breathing, tongue posture, swallowing, oral habits, and the muscles of the mouth and face. Her approach emphasizes education, individualized therapy, and collaboration with dental and medical professionals when appropriate.