Has your child complained to you about his or her crooked teeth? How many times were you turned down by your dentist telling you it’s too early to do braces for your 7-year-old? How many times have you felt helpless watching your child’s teeth get worse, knowing that there’s nothing you can do but wait?
SEE ALSO: Parents’ Essential Guide to Orthodontic Treatments for Kids
Most of your child’s crooked teeth problems are caused by poor oral habit and that can be easily fixed by Myobrace, a no-braces approach to straightening your child’s teeth and jaws.
At Dr. Michael’s, I see many parents who are very happy to know that their children can immediately begin a treatment to help straighten their teeth. Even my young patients, those as young as 7 years old, understand the importance of getting properly aligned teeth. I’m really happy to see how compliant my young patients are. When a child sticks to the treatment, he gets best results at the shortest possible time.
Parents, here are some key information from Myobrace.com.
What causes crooked teeth?
It is a common belief that crowded teeth, incorrect jaw development and other orthodontic problems are caused by either large teeth in small jaws, or other hereditary factors. Modern research has shown that mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, reverse swallowing and thumb sucking – known as incorrect myofunctional habits – are the real causes of incorrect jaw development. Allergies, asthma and an open mouth posture can also contribute towards the jaws developing incorrectly. Bottle feeding, thumb sucking, and dummies during the early stages of a child’s life can also contribute to the problem.
How does Myobrace treatment work?
Myobrace treatment involves using a series of appliances which have the proven dual function of correcting habits that cause poor dental development, while also providing light forces to align the teeth into their natural position. This technique is now used by practitioners in more than 100 countries worldwide. Treatment does not involve wearing braces or using complex and uncomfortable dental appliances 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wearing a Myobrace appliance for one to two hours each day and overnight while sleeping, combined with a series of ‘myofunctional exercises’ (also known as the Trainer Activities) each day is all it takes for a real change to occur.
How long does treatment generally take?
Myobrace treatment time is usually comparable to the time required for treatment with braces, but instead of being fixed to the teeth, Myobrace appliances are removable and require just one to two hours of use each day plus overnight while sleeping.
Will it work for me or my child?
The Myobrace System is a bit like a training program. Like study or sport, daily commitment and persistence is required to obtain results the best results. It also depends on the patient’s inherent biology for change – therefore sometimes the results are rapid and other times it may take more perseverance. Old habits die hard, so the sooner the training program is implemented the better the growth benefits and the more permanent the results.
The optimum time to begin Myobrace treatment is when the patient is still growing and the first permanent teeth appear (at around six to ten years of age).
What is the best age to begin treatment?
The optimum time to begin treatment is when the patient is still growing and the first permanent teeth appear (at around six to ten years of age). If poor myofunctional habits are discovered at an earlier age, it is best to start treatment immediately. Patients over 15 years of age can also be treated but the problems and habits causing the crooked teeth are often more difficult to change at this stage.
What other benefits might I see from using this treatment?
Unlike traditional orthodontics, the aim of Myobrace treatment is not just to have straight front teeth, but also to remove the bad influences on the patients dental and facial development. In children, as a result of improving poor muscular habits patients can experience better facial development and achieve their full genetic potential. Other health benefits of Myobrace treatment methods include improved posture, fewer allergies, and fewer problems with the teeth, mouth and jaw joints (TMJ).
How often do patients need to wear it?
The appliances must be worn daily for one to two hours plus overnight while sleeping. Along with wearing the appliance your Myobrace Practitioner may ask you to perform a few simple activities that re-train the oral muscles and help motivate the patient to improve their overall treatment outcome. Any extra effort gives extraordinary results.
What if the patient refuses to wear the appliance?
The key to success is through wearing the appliance. This should be established at the first consultation where the patient is told the importance of correcting bad oral habits. This is not an alternative form of orthodontics. It is a treatment for the underlying causes of the crooked teeth – the poor muscular habits of the mouth and face. If the patient refuses to wear the Myobrace appliance (which is rare to start) this is a real limiting factor in treatment.
Are there any harmful side effects with Myobrace treatment methods?
There have been no reported harmful effects with Myobrace treatment. As the appliances used are very flexible and exert only light intermittent forces that assist in retraining the muscles and mode of breathing, there is little possibility of doing harm. The recommendation to practitioners is always to review patient progress regularly and to ensure the muscle improvements are progressing, there is no irritation caused by the appliances, and that the changes in the alignment of the teeth and jaws are being supported by the surrounding muscle structures.
Are there any signs or reasons why this treatment would not be suitable?
There are a few. The Myobrace System requires daily use over an extended period of time. Non-compliant patients will not achieve a satisfactory result. Age is a significant factor – the older the patient is the more difficult is is to change habits and move the teeth. Patients with extremely crooked teeth and jaw discrepancies which stop the child from physically holding the Myobrace appliance in their mouth can limit treatment possibilities. Complete nasal obstruction can also make Myobrace treatment difficult. There may be other limiting factors and so it’s best to speak with a Myobrace Practitioner if you have any concerns.
To enquire about Myobrace for your child, please call Dr. Michael’s Children’s Dental Center at 04- 3397700.
