5 Proven Benefits of Combining Myofunctional Therapy with Frenuloplasty

A groundbreaking new study has confirmed what many airway-focused professionals have long suspected: combining myofunctional therapy with lingual frenuloplasty (a surgical release of a tongue tie) leads to significantly better outcomes, especially for children and adults with breathing, swallowing, and jaw development issues.

Conducted in Poland as a randomized controlled trial, the study followed 155 patients of various ages undergoing orthodontic or jaw surgery. The results clearly showed that the combined approach outperforms myofunctional therapy alone.

Here are five powerful reasons why this combination may be a game-changer for you or your child:

1. Improved Tongue Mobility

Patients who received both therapies showed significantly greater improvement in tongue range of motion, which is critical for functions like speaking, eating, and resting the tongue properly on the palate.

2. Better Breathing & Swallowing

Restricted tongue movement often contributes to mouth breathing and inefficient swallowing. This study showed that when frenuloplasty was paired with therapy, patients experienced noticeable improvements in both areas, resulting in better sleep, speech, and digestion.

3. Enhanced Oral Rest Posture

One key goal of myofunctional therapy is achieving a stable rest posture: tongue up, lips closed, breathing through the nose. The study found this was more easily achieved and maintained when the tongue was surgically freed from restriction.

4. Greater Stability After Orthodontics or Surgery

Tongue ties can lead to orthodontic relapse or tension post-jaw surgery. The research showed more stable outcomes by combining therapy with release, a big win for long-term results.

5. Faster, Stronger Results

Patients in the combined group progressed more quickly and showed better overall functional outcomes, reinforcing what clinicians have observed anecdotally for years.

If you or your child struggles with issues like

• Mouth breathing
• Snoring or disrupted sleep
• Speech or feeding challenges
• Orthodontic relapse or jaw tension

a restricted tongue could be the root of the problem. This new study confirms that the most effective path forward is a comprehensive approach—therapy plus frenuloplasty.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Dentistry for Children & Adolescents in Sarasota, Florida, specializes in team-based care for airway and tongue-tie concerns. We offer oral myofunctional therapy pre- and post-tongue-tie release, thorough functional assessments and airway evaluations, specialized tongue-tie surgical release when needed, and collaborations with other healthcare providers to support a whole-body approach.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Call us at  (941) 909-2979. Let’s unlock better breathing, function, and stability—together.