Myofunctional Therapy

Supporting Airway Health, Oral Function & Whole-Body Wellness

At our Winnipeg clinic, we’re proud to offer Myofunctional Therapy. This gentle, exercise-based treatment that focuses on the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue to support proper breathing and oral habits.

Whether you’re seeking support for your child’s development, recovering from orthodontic work, or looking to improve your own airway health and quality of sleep, Myofunctional Therapy offers a non-invasive path to long-term whole-body wellness.

What is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional Therapy uses a series of customized exercises that retrain the muscles of the tongue, face, and oral cavity. It aims to correct improper oral habits, improve breathing patterns, and restore proper function to the muscles used for speaking, eating, and sleeping.

Therapy is guided by a certified myofunctional therapist and may be used alone or alongside dental, orthodontic, ENT, or speech therapies as part of a collaborative care plan.

Meet Our Myofunctional Therapist

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Stephanie Zimola, RDH, Myofunctional Therapist

With nearly two decades of experience in dental hygiene and a passion for airway health, Stephanie brings both clinical expertise and a warm, patient-centered approach to her practice. She specializes in working with children, teens, and adults, creating personalized therapy plans that align with each client’s goals.

What Conditions Can Myofunctional Therapy Help With?

  • Mouth breathing
  • Tongue thrust and low tongue posture
  • Sleep-disordered breathing & snoring
  • Orthodontic relapse or resistance
  • TMJ dysfunction and facial tension
  • Long-term impact of oral habits (thumb sucking, pacifier use, etc.)

Other FAQs

How does Myofunctional Therapy help?

Proper tongue posture, nasal breathing, and muscle function aren’t just oral issues—they play a major role in airway development, facial growth, and overall health. When these functions are disrupted, it can impact sleep quality, focus, digestion, and more. Myofunctional Therapy works by restoring these foundational patterns, helping patients of all ages breathe easier, sleep better, and feel more balanced in their day-to-day life.

Myofunctional Therapy can help a wide variety of people however, here are some examples of people who can benefit.

  • Children with developing jaws or speech concerns
  • Teens undergoing or completing orthodontic treatment
  • Adults with sleep apnea, snoring, or jaw tension
  • Anyone interested in improving their breathing and oral function
Myofunctional therapy isn’t a standalone insurance category, so coverage varies significantly by provider and plan. It’s sometimes covered under dental or orthodontic benefits, particularly when treatment relates to orthodontic outcomes — but this isn’t guaranteed.
 
We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly before your first visit to ask whether myofunctional therapy is covered under your plan, and we’re happy to provide a receipt with relevant details for you to submit.

Ready to Learn More?

Book a consultation to find out if Myofunctional Therapy is right for you or your child. Our team will guide you through the process and collaborate with other practitioners as needed to support your overall health.