Dr Donny

20/03/2026

BETTER

6 years old.
4 months of jaw expansion.
6 months of orofacial myofunctional pre-orthodontics.
And the difference is impossible to ignore.

This is what happens when we stop chasing crooked teeth…
and start addressing the foundation.

Because jaw development is not just about making space.
It’s about creating the conditions for better breathing, better function, and better facial growth.

Mechanical expansion helped develop the arches.
But expansion alone is not the full story.

Because if the muscles, tongue posture, lip seal, swallowing pattern, and breathing habits do not change…
the underlying dysfunction is still there.

That is why orofacial myofunctional pre-orthodontics matters.

We are not just expanding bone.
We are helping guide function.

And when function improves, growth has a chance to follow the way nature intended.

This is why early intervention matters.

The before and after photos show more than straighter structures.
They show what can happen when you combine mechanics with function instead of relying on mechanics alone.

Not just wider jaws.
Better foundations.
Better function.
Better futures.

* Disclaimer: This case is presented for educational purposes only and does not represent a guarantee of similar results. Treatment outcomes vary significantly between individuals based on age, growth pattern, anatomy, diagnosis, compliance, oral habits, airway factors, and other health considerations. Clinical decisions must always be based on a comprehensive professional assessment, individualized diagnosis, and appropriate informed consent.

17/03/2026

ASTOT 2026

I’m pleased to be presenting at the Australasian Society of Tethered Oral Tissues (ASTOT) 2026 Conference in Bali, ahead of International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) 2026.

Within the field of tethered oral tissues, clinical focus is often directed toward the tongue and its immediate function. However, it is increasingly important to consider the broader systems that influence these presentations.

Cranial dynamics, fascial relationships, airway development, and postural patterns all contribute to functional outcomes. When these factors are not optimally integrated, their effects may manifest in ways that are often attributed solely to the tongue.

This perspective highlights the need to move beyond a purely localised approach and toward a more comprehensive understanding of the interrelated systems that underpin function.

I look forward to contributing to this important discussion and engaging with colleagues at ASTOT 2026, before continuing the dialogue at IAOM 2026.

14/03/2026

IAOM 2026

For years, the conversation in myofunctional therapy has revolved around one structure… the tongue.

But what if the tongue is only part of the story?

I’m honoured to be speaking at International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) 2026 on a topic that challenges how we look at airway and function:

“Beyond the Tongue: How Cranial Dynamics Shape Airway and Function.”

Because here’s the reality 👇

The tongue doesn’t exist in isolation.

It is influenced by:
🧠 Cranial motion
🦴 Maxillary development
🌬️ Airway dynamics
🕸️ Fascial connections
🧍 Whole-body posture

When cranial dynamics are restricted, the consequences can ripple through the entire system — affecting breathing, tongue posture, swallowing patterns, and craniofacial development.

So if we only treat the tongue…
we may miss the bigger picture.

In this lecture, I’ll be exploring how cranial dynamics influence airway and function, and why understanding these relationships may change how we approach orofacial therapy.

Sometimes the root cause isn’t where we think it is.

Looking forward to connecting with colleagues from around the world at IAOM 2026 and continuing to push our profession forward. 🌍

11/03/2026

THE SWALLOW TEST

You swallow around 2,000 times a day…
But most people are doing it wrong. 😳

A correct swallow beyond infancy is called a mature swallow, and it’s one of the most important functions for healthy facial growth, stable teeth, and a functional airway.

Here’s the difference most people never learn 👇

__________

❌ Infantile (Immature) Swallow

In an immature swallow pattern:

• The tongue pushes forward against the teeth
• The lips and facial muscles contract to compensate
• The jaw lacks stability

This pattern is normal in babies, but it should disappear as the nervous system matures.

If it persists in children or adults, it can contribute to:

⚠️ Crooked teeth
⚠️ Open bites
⚠️ Relapse after orthodontics
⚠️ Poor facial development
⚠️ Mouth breathing patterns

And remember…

You swallow around 2,000 times a day.
That’s 2,000 forces on the teeth daily.

_________

✅ Mature Swallow

In a mature swallow pattern:

• The tongue rests fully on the palate
• The teeth are lightly together
• The lips stay relaxed
• The jaw is stable

The tongue becomes the natural architect of the upper jaw.

Instead of pushing teeth out, it supports the palate up and out.

__________

💡 The hidden truth:

Orthodontics alone cannot overcome 2,000 dysfunctional swallows per day.

That’s why is becoming essential in modern dentistry.

Because when you fix the function,
the structure finally has a chance to stabilize.

__________

👅 Quick self-test:

Take a sip of water and swallow.

Ask yourself:

• Did your tongue push forward?
• Did your lips tighten?
• Did your chin contract?

If yes… you may still be swallowing like an infant.

And that pattern repeats every day of your life.

__________

🧠 Remember:

Teeth don’t move randomly.
They move in response to muscle function.

And swallowing is the most repeated function of all.

06/03/2026

Most people — including many clinicians — will say the tongue is just a muscle.

But that answer is only half the story.

__________

📚 The Textbook Answer

Anatomy textbooks describe the tongue as a muscular hydrostat made of 8 muscles.

These muscles allow the tongue to:

• Move forward and backward
• Lift and lower
• Change shape
• Control swallowing
• Assist speech
• Maintain the airway

So yes — the tongue is absolutely a muscular organ.

But that’s not the whole picture.

__________

🤔 The Part Most People Miss

The tongue is deeply integrated into the body’s fascial system.

It connects through fascia to:

• The hyoid bone
• The floor of the mouth
• The pharynx
• The neck fascia
• Even the cranial base

Which means the tongue doesn’t just move…

It transmits tension through the entire craniofacial system.

__________

💡 This Changes How We Think About Therapy

If the tongue were only muscle, treatment would focus on:

• Strength
• Endurance
• Holding exercises

But if the tongue is a myofascial organ, we must also consider:

• Mobility
• Fascial glide
• Neurological coordination
• Breathing patterns
• Craniofacial tension

Sometimes patients don’t need a stronger tongue…

They need a freer system.

__________

🥡 The Takeaway

The tongue isn’t just a muscle.

It’s a muscle organ embedded inside a fascial network.

Structure: Muscle
Function: Myofascial

And when we start seeing it this way…

We stop treating the tongue in isolation
and start treating the entire functional system.

04/03/2026

KIDS SLEEP HEALTH PODCAST

I had a conversation with Dr. Derek Mahony, specialist orthodontist, for his podcast channel, Ask an Orthodontist.

It has been launched today. You can listen and watch it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and You Tube.

Here is the link for You Tube:

https://youtu.be/_qeZdXpZ-W4?si=sFh7Akek1Ikkmgnw

We discuss a case study in how myofunctional dentistry addressed every day challenges, for a child on the spectrum.You can buy Dr Donny's book ⁠here https://...

22/02/2026

ETHAN’s STORY

Some patients change your career.
Some change your life.

Behind the Smile is not a book about dentistry.
It’s the story of Ethan.

A boy, who was told by many practitioners, would be “too hard.”
Too complex.
Too many issues.

On paper, he looked impossible.

But when Ethan walked into my clinic, I didn’t just see a case.

I saw his eyes.
And I saw his mother’s eyes.

And in that moment, there was something louder than the diagnosis.
There was hope.

Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just quiet hope that whispered:

“Please don’t give up on him.”

I remember thinking —
If I say no… who says yes?
If I don’t try… who will?
What if I’m his only chance?

So I took the chance.

Not because it was easy.
Not because it was predictable.
But because sometimes you treat a patient as if you are their only chance —
and that changes everything.

What happened next is why I wrote Behind the Smile.

Ethan defied the odds.
Not overnight.
Not magically.

But step by step… breath by breath… function by function…
He began to unlock something far more powerful than straight teeth.

He unlocked himself.

His airway.
His posture.
His nervous system.
His confidence.
His voice.

The transformation wasn’t just physical.
It was neurological. Emotional. Human.

This book is about what happens when you look beyond the smile.
When you look at the airway.
The fascia.
The cranial system.
The root cause.

It’s about courage — his, his mother’s, and yes… mine.

Because sometimes the practitioner grows as much as the patient.

I’m glad I took the chance.

Because Ethan didn’t just change.

He became who he was always meant to be.

And that… is why I wrote this story.

Behind every smile…
There is a story waiting to be understood.

17/02/2026

ATTENTION NEW MOTHERS

As myofunctional dental practitioners, we start with babies.

Because prevention begins at birth.

Here are the 3 things we tell every new mum:

1️⃣ See a Paediatric Osteopath or Neurodevelopment Chiropractor
Birth is a big event — even when it’s “normal.”

Compression, assisted delivery, prolonged labour… all can affect:
• Cranial mobility
• Vagus nerve function
• Feeding coordination
• Tension through the neck and jaw

When the cranial system is restricted, babies may struggle with latch, breathing, and settling.

A skilled paediatric osteopath or neurodevelopment chiropractor can assess:
✔️ Cranial balance
✔️ Nervous system regulation
✔️ Tension patterns

Because feeding is neurological. Not just mechanical.
__________

2️⃣ Avoid Pacifiers (or Limit to 6 Months)
Pacifiers may soothe…
But prolonged use can influence:

• Tongue posture
• Palatal development
• Jaw growth
• Swallow patterns

Extended pacifier habits are associated with:
– Open bites
– Narrow palates
– Altered muscle function

If used, keep it short-term. The earlier it’s reduced, the better the orofacial trajectory.
__________

3️⃣ See a Lactation Consultant for a Feeding Assessment

Latch matters.
Tongue mobility matters.
Breathing during feeding matters.

A proper feeding assessment can identify:
✔️ Shallow latch
✔️ Tongue-tie concerns
✔️ Poor coordination
✔️ Compensatory muscle patterns

Because if feeding is dysfunctional, development adapts around dysfunction.
__________

Why Are We So Passionate About This?

Because breastfeeding is nature’s first orofacial myofunctional therapy.

It trains:
• Proper tongue elevation
• Nasal breathing
• Palatal expansion
• Jaw development
• Coordinated swallow

It’s functional orthopaedics.
It’s neurology.
It’s craniofacial growth guidance — built into biology.

When breastfeeding goes well, the face grows forward.
When it doesn’t, compensations begin early.

And early compensation becomes later orthodontics.

We educate.

Because when mums are empowered early, children grow optimally. 💛