About Carrie and Central Washington Myofunctional Therapy
Meet Carrie Nunnally
Registered Dental Hygienist & Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist
Hello! I'm Carrie Nunnally, a Registered Dental Hygienist and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist with more than 23 years of experience in systemic and oral health. I graduated from Shoreline Dental Hygiene in Seattle in 2001 and have spent my career helping people better understand the connection between oral health and overall wellness.
My husband and I moved to Leavenworth, Washington in 2011, and we have loved raising our two children in the Wenatchee Valley. Our family enjoys the many outdoor activities and natural beauty that make this area such a special place to live.
Throughout my career, I have worked in both family and pediatric dental practices. That experience has given me the opportunity to work with people across many different ages and stages of life, and it has strengthened my passion for education, prevention, and functional health.
My interest in myofunctional therapy became personal when I began recognizing myofunctional impairments in myself and members of my own family. That experience led me to pursue advanced education in orofacial myofunctional therapy and eventually begin my own practice.
I completed extensive MyoMentor training under Sarah Hornsby and continue to expand my knowledge through additional courses and certifications so I can better support a wide range of orofacial myofunctional dysfunctions.
My goal is always to provide high-quality, individualized care that helps people better understand their health, improve function, and build habits that support them for years to come.
What Is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is an exercise-based approach that helps retrain the muscles of the face, mouth, tongue, neck, and airway. These muscles play an important role in everyday functions such as breathing, swallowing, chewing, speaking, and maintaining healthy oral posture.
When these muscles are not functioning efficiently, it can contribute to what are known as orofacial myofunctional disorders, or OMDs. These patterns can affect the way the face and mouth grow and develop, and may also influence dental alignment, breathing, sleep, jaw function, and other areas of oral health.
Myofunctional therapy works by strengthening and retraining these muscles to encourage healthier functional patterns over time.
What to Expect When You Get Started
Step 1: Complimentary Phone Consultation
It usually starts with a complimentary phone consultation to discuss your concerns and determine whether myofunctional therapy may be appropriate for you or your child.
Step 2: Comprehensive Assessment
If therapy appears appropriate, Carrie schedules a comprehensive evaluation that generally takes 60 to 90 minutes. During the assessment, she reviews health history, oral function, compensations, habits, and other relevant concerns.
Step 3: Personalized Therapy Plan
Based on the findings, Carrie creates a customized therapy program designed around the patient's specific needs and goals.
Step 4: Ongoing Therapy
A typical program may include approximately 10 to 15 therapy sessions. A typical session lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. Sessions begin approximately every two weeks and become more spread out toward the end of treatment. Simple home exercises usually take around 5 to 10 minutes per day.
What Patients Are Saying
Families and patients share their experiences working with Carrie and the difference myofunctional therapy has made in their daily lives.
"Carrie has been fabulous to work with, especially around challenging schedules. We so appreciate her care and concern for our daughter. Our daughter has blossomed in her confidence as she has gained more functional movement of her tongue and speech. Thanks so much Carrie!"
Monique L.
daughter, 13yrs old
"Hi Carrie! I sure have learned a lot the last 6 months. Thank you so much for your help and graciousness. Your professionalism speaks volumes about the level of care you have provided. I've already given your name as a recommendation to other friends who have kiddos with similar issues. Thank you!"
Jen S.
daughter, 13 yrs old
Professional Training & Continuing Education
Carrie's training and credentials reflect a commitment to ongoing education in orofacial myofunctional therapy.
Ready to Learn More About Myofunctional Therapy?
Whether you have questions about breathing, swallowing, oral habits, tongue posture, jaw function, or your child's development, Carrie can help you understand your options and determine the next step.
Contact UsComplimentary phone consultations available.
