Services · Louisville, Kentucky
Pre- and Post-Orthodontic Support.
Coordinated myofunctional therapy that supports orthodontic treatment. Pre-treatment therapy prepares the tongue and lip posture for the changes braces or aligners will create. Post-treatment therapy reduces the risk of relapse by retraining the muscle patterns that originally contributed to the crowding or malocclusion.
Reviewed by Gina Sabbak, RDH. Last reviewed .
Who it's for
This service is designed for:
Children or adults about to begin orthodontic treatment whose orthodontist has recommended pre-treatment muscle work
Patients in active orthodontic treatment whose orthodontist wants coordinated tongue/lip posture support
Patients whose teeth have shifted after previous orthodontic treatment ("relapse")
How it works
What to expect.
Why muscle work matters with orthodontics
Teeth move based on the forces applied to them — braces, aligners, expanders — and on the resting forces from the tongue, lips, and cheeks. If the resting forces are unbalanced (low tongue posture, mouth breathing, reverse swallow), the teeth will tend to move back toward the original position after treatment.
Coordination with your orthodontist
We work directly with your orthodontist to time therapy around treatment phases. The orthodontist remains the lead on tooth movement; we focus on the muscle side. Communication is ongoing so the plan stays aligned.
Pre-treatment phase
Usually 8–12 weeks of therapy before active orthodontic treatment begins. The goal is to establish the resting tongue posture and nasal breathing that will support the new tooth positions.
Post-treatment / retention phase
Continues through retention (the period after braces or aligners come off). The goal is to lock in the new pattern so the result holds. This is the phase where relapse most commonly happens — and where muscle work makes the biggest difference.
Related reading
This service is commonly used for
- Dental crowding / relapse
How this condition typically presents and the patterns we address.
→ Related article: What is myofunctional therapy, really? - Open bite
How this condition typically presents and the patterns we address.
→ Related article: Mouth breathing in children: why it matters - Mouth breathing
How this condition typically presents and the patterns we address.
→ Related article: Mouth breathing in children: why it matters - Tongue thrust
How this condition typically presents and the patterns we address.
→ Related article: What is myofunctional therapy, really? - All services
The complete set of myofunctional therapy services we offer.
- Book an evaluation
60-minute in-person assessment of oral posture, swallow, and breathing.
Common questions about pre- and post-orthodontic support
- Do I need to coordinate with my orthodontist?
- We strongly recommend it — and we will reach out to your orthodontist to coordinate the plan if you give us permission. The best outcomes come from a team approach.
- Can myofunctional therapy replace orthodontic treatment?
- No. Myofunctional therapy does not move teeth — it works with the muscles around the teeth. For patients who need tooth movement, orthodontic treatment is still required. Therapy improves the conditions that support the orthodontic result.
- My teeth shifted after my braces came off. Can therapy help?
- Yes. Post-treatment relapse is one of the most common reasons we see patients. Therapy can stabilize the new position by retraining the resting muscle forces.
- How long is the post-treatment phase?
- Typically 6–12 months of active work, with periodic check-ins during the retention period.
What patients say
Real reviews from patients of 502 MYO, moderated by Gina personally.
Gina is amazing! I stopped snoring and sleep more every night!
Ready to begin?
The first visit is 60 minutes. Call (502) 901-8089 or request an appointment online.
Book an evaluation