SPECIALIZING IN
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Retraining Facial Muscles
Pre & Post Frenectomy - Tongue Placement Therapy
Mouth Breathing - Snoring - Sleep Apnea
Habit Elimination
what is
Myofunctional
Therapy?
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a program used to correct the improper function of the tongue and facial muscles. It consists of therapeutic exercises to strengthen and re- educate facial and tongue muscles optimizing their function. It promotes nasal breathing, proper lip closure, a correct tongue resting position and a healthy swallowing pattern.
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Dysfunction and imbalance of the orofacial muscles can negatively impact breastfeeding, oral hygiene, facial growth and esthetics, stability of orthodontic treatment, Temporomandibular joint movement, posture, digestion , sleep and more.
OMT is painless and the exercises are fairly simple. When certain muscles of the face are activated and functioning properly, other muscles will follow suit until proper coordination of the tongue and facial muscles is achieved.
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Proper assessment of the orofacial muscles allows for targeted and effective exercises for oral posture retraining to promote better health with goals to improve breathing, reduce pain and enhance the quality of life.
ROBIN FAPP OMT
SPECIALIZING IN OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY
I was born in Southern California and moved to the Central Coast when I was 10 years old. I was raised in a dental family as my dad was a dentist in Atascadero for many years.
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I naturally gravitated to the career of dental hygiene and have been practicing for 36 years, enjoying my clinical experiences and taking care of my patients. As of September 2023 I have retired from the field of dental hygiene and now practice myofunctional therapy full time.
I gained knowledge and understanding of orofacial myology through my continuing education and realized my family and I would benefit from Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT).
This led me to advance my education and training in OMT. I am a graduate of Mastering Myo (recognized by the IAOM), Myomentor, Launch Your Inner Myo, Myo Circle 3.0, a Member of Airway Circle, CDHA, IAOM and I'm currently pursuing further education in this field.
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I enjoy working with all ages to improve oral function as it relates to breathing, sleep, chewing and swallowing, facial development and growth.
I'm looking forward to meeting you!
HI! I'M ROBIN...
Chantel Arnold RDH OMT
Hello, my name is Chantel Arnold and I grew up on the central coast and I have been a registered dental hygienist since 2015, and have worked as an RDH on the central coast since 2015. I received education for myofunctional therapy through AOMT and I am very excited to get the opportunity to practice as a myofunctional therapist. I am a wife and mother to two girls, and enjoy spending time with my family, going to the beach and gardening.
MEET THE TEAM
Kim Clark, Admin Assistant
Hello, my name is Kim Clark. I grew up in Atascadero and have been an avid health and fitness enthusiast since my early teens. I have a background in Yoga, Pilates, Weight Lifting, Endurance, Agility and Sprint Coaching. I’ve been very involved with breathing techniques for over thirty years and I am excited to be involved with MyoFunctional Therapy! ​ My husband and I and our pups love anything outdoors, especially if it is physical and a bonus if in nature. We own a small Strength & Conditioning Studio where we enjoy helping people become, and ultimately stay healthy. ​ I look forward to helping you figure out your schedule to get you started on your journey to more efficient breathing!
Services
Virtual and in person appointments available
FREE PHONE CONSULTATION
15 mins
01
Not sure if myofunctional therapy is right for you? Let me answer your questions and we can see if you or your child is a candidate for myofunctional therapy.
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COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION
60-90 mins
Our comprehensive evaluation is an in depth 60-90 min appointment assessing orofacial dysfunction, reviewed dental and health history, compensations, function, and a customized plan for therapy.
Designed for children 4-6 years old who would benefit from simple exercises, but are not ready to have a full foundational program. It is ideal to start young to guide growth and eliminate habits.
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MINI MYO PROGRAM (4-6 YEAR OLDS)
6-8 sessions • 30 mins
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HABIT ELIMINATION
4-8 sessions • 30-45 mins
A program designed to assist with thumb or finger sucking cessation. Dedication is crucial to success, and the patient must be willing to commit to this treatment. Treatment time can vary from 2-4 months.
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PRE/POST FRENECTOMY THERAPY
8 sessions • 30-45 mins
During this eight-session therapy program, we will meet four times in person to
practice several exercises in preparation for your surgery. After surgery, we will meet for four sessions to review prior exercises and introduce more to ensure proper healing to prevent re-attachment of the once tethered oral tissue.
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OM THERAPY SESSION
12-14 sessions • 30-45 mins
Virtual and in person appointments available
During our therapy session you will learn proper techniques to train your mouth and facial muscles through exercises specifically chosen for you and your needs. This program is individualized and benefits those with the following disorders: tongue tie or tethered oral tissues, tongue thrust, TMJ pain, mild sleep apnea, low tongue resting posture, posture problems, open bite, and more.
What to Expect During Your Myofunctional Evaluation
With a comprehensive evaluation, we create a personalized therapy plan tailored to your needs.
EXTRA ORAL ASSESSMENT
We begin by evaluating your posture, including forward head rest posture, head, neck, and facial pain. We'll assess your facial structure, open-mouth resting posture, and nasal breathing. Photos and videos will be taken to document and analyze your specific needs.
INTRA ORAL ASSESSMENT
Our detailed intra oral assessment focuses on identifying any restricted oral tissues such as tongue ties, lip ties, and buccal ties. We assess conditions like tongue thrust, clenching/grinding, tonsil size, palatal development, dental crowding, scalloped tongue borders, improper swallowing patterns, and bite issues (e.g., open bite, crossbite). We also evaluate tongue mobility, function, and resting posture. Photos and videos will be captured to support our assessment.
HABITS
We review any habits that may impact orofacial health, including snoring, nail biting, bedwetting, thumb sucking, restless sleeping, mouth breathing, low tongue resting posture, and pacifier use.
LOCATION
Myofunctional Therapy
Central Coast Office
We offer both virtual and in-person assessments and therapy
(by appointment only)
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8344 Morro Rd
Atascadero, CA 93422
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(805) 391-4231
Email robinfapp@gmail.com
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Hours
Monday through Friday
10:00 - 5:00
Connect with us on social media
I have to say I was skeptical of Tongue therapy originally and even shared that with Robin when we started. Now I have a much better understanding of the true benefits of Myofunctional therapy. It is much more than Tongue therapy. Robin is extremely knowledgeable and has a knack for making it fun, not just another appointment!! Treatment with Robin has made a big difference in my progress to correct issues with my teeth due to tongue thrust. I also learned more about sleeping issues due to the same issues!
Julie Garcia
"As an adult with TMJ I
didn't think there was any-
thing I could do to fix my
issue without invasive
orthodontics but with
Robin's help I was able to
stabilize my jaw and reduce
my pain."
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Kelly Gleason
Effective! Measurable decrease in snoring severity and frequency.
Garrett Mc Elveny
"My 8 year old son had a pretty tight tongue tie. Needless to say he was pretty nervous about the tongue release. Robin was able to explain everything really clearly and put our minds at ease about the whole process. She prepped him on what was to come and how the healing would work. I'm grateful for Robin's knowledge and expertise."