1. Do you take insurance?

No, nor Care Credit. The therapy is fee-for-service. I have received payment from patient's’ HSA’s accounts. Orofacial myofunctional therapists are not in network with any insurance company, and so, orofacial myofunctional therapy is not covered well by insurance largely because it is an emerging field and most insurance companies are not aware of it. I recommend you speak with your insurer to get clarity on what they will cover. Please note that myofunctional therapy is billed UNDER MEDICAL, NOT DENTAL insurance.  It’s best if you can acquire a “letter of medical necessity” from your doctor for orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMFT).

I can provide a patient with a Superbill for $150 AFTER a treatment plan has been completed, which might help you get reimbursed, however, it is not a guarantee.

PRO TIP: receiving an official diagnosis for anything that relates to the orofacial or pharyngeal muscles (sleep apnoea, dysphagia, tongue tie, asthma, tonsillitis, rhinitis, Bell’s Palsy) may prove medical need for myofunctional training and increase your chances of reimbursement.

2. If my child and I, or siblings, are treated together, can we get a discount?

Yes, if you both enroll in the group classes or at the same time for private treatment, one of you will receive 10% off, and you will receive 10% off each additional family member. However, everyone will need SEPARATE appointment times.

Consultations are separate and charged individually at $425 per person. Every client is assessed and treated as an individual and charged as such just like when receiving dental work, medical treatment or physical therapy. Every client presents with different needs and receives an individual treatment plan with individual appointment times corresponding to those needs, thus, no two clients are treated the same nor at the same time.

4. How much does it cost?

I work by phase, not by appointment, and payment per phase is expected in full before beginning a treatment plan. There are no payment plan options for treatment plans under $2000. Payments is accepted via Square. Neuroplasticity takes 60-70 days, and Phase 1 takes approximately this long. Treatment prices range from $500-$3,000, and length of treatment can range from from one month, to one year. Once I have assessed your imaging, I will provide you with a consultation wherein I will present you with my findings. After you will receive my treatment plan options, prices, suggested referrals, recommended reading, a list of other professionals to follow on social media, and my help as a life long resource. You will walk away with a wealth of knowledge, feeling more empowered with the ability to make an informed decision on your future health. Consultations are 60 minutes for $425, and if treatment is taken on, that fee will be prorated toward your treatment plan price (please note, the $425 will not be prorated toward breathing reeducation).

5. Is it possible to have more than one tongue tie?

Yes. An individual can have an anterior (front) AND a mid lingual (middle of tongue) tethered oral tissue or bridled tissues. All tongue ties are inherently “mid” and congenital (with special exceptions). A Tethered muscles lack optimal range of motion and thus, have poor potential for developing tonicity, function and integration. Once the mid tongue tie is identified through the Tongue Range of Motion Ratio’s Tongue to Incisive Papilla and Lingual Palatal Suction, it is important to have a frenectomy to ensure complete release of the tongue. One can have lip ties & buccal ties (cheek) as well. The tongue tie assessment is comprised of three parts: visual, health history and tactile evaluation. I will complete the first two and other specialists, like an ENT, Oral Surgeon or Dentist, will complete the tactile exam.
(A mid tongue tie is also known as a “posterior tongue tie”)

6. What are your hours?

They change every 4 months. Please use this link to book a discovery phone call

Please use this link to schedule an assessment. Fill out your forms here.

7. Are tongue movements integrated automatically after a tongue tie release?

No. As the saying goes, “Neurons that fire together, wire together”, thus, simply snipping tissues does not provide any neuromuscular education to the brain, and so, risk for tongue-tie wounds healing very tightly after release (more restriction) increases significantly. Ergo, changes in release of tethered oral tissue(s) do not equate to changes in the brain. The orofacial myofunctional movements and integration must be taught and frequently practiced, at least over a 60-70 day period (my phase1), to establish a new learned motor pattern. This is how we facilitate neuroplasticity, the creation of new neural pathways.

8. What’s it like in regards to methodology, time, duration, and difficulty?

We’ll use many oral tools for exercising in myo. We also do exercises with different textures of foods and water. In the beginning we’ll do weekly Zoom meetings, and gradually, those meetings will space out if we continue to Phase 2. I do not pass all clients to the next Phases. An evaluation is completed after Phase 1 to see if the patient is ready for or if they need Phase 2. The exercises themselves can be difficult and often painful post-op.

It is the time commitment and dedication to daily quality exercise that is demanding. This type of therapy requires you to show up every day and do your best, otherwise you will not get your money’s worth and your symptoms or conditions will likely recur. You must be actively ready to begin the change in yourself or your child. It is a health and lifestyle choice because you will be doing exercises everyday, sometimes up to one year. It is not to be taken lightly. The length of your treatment plan depends on your level of need, compliance and progress, but the range falls between eight weeks to one year for optimal results, however, every case is different and no treatment plan is identical. I will be in your life for an intensive bit and show you how to sustain everything you will learn so you can thrive long after your myofunctional therapy is complete. Lastly, parents of younger children are my copilot and MUST learn and practice the exercises on themselves and on their children in order to lead their child through a treatment plan for optimal results.

9. Why hasn’t anyone recommended orofacial myofunctional exercises?

Unfortunately, applied myofunctional sciences and tongue ties are not covered in conventional medical and dental school. Most providers, like myself, need to complete post graduate training from established institutions or teachers to learn about tethered oral tissues and how to properly treat them, including other orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) and breathing pattern disorders. It is still considered an emerging field and is an adjunct therapy to functional dentistry, orthodontia and osteopathy. Most people who align strictly with conventional restorative western biomedicine would not have these types of therapies on their radar.

10. Are you doing speech therapy?

No. I am correcting dysfunctional oromotor functions, not working with speech therapy exercises. I am training muscles to improve their tonicity, which improves muscle function, and this typically improves a person’s speech AND speech therapy results typically have better retention with healthy orofacial tone. Also, once a dysfunction is determined to be laryngeal, I would refer that patient to a licensed speech pathologist to address that specific laryngeal problem and continue their myo.