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Myofunctional Therapy Options Improve Your Child's Oral Development

Myofunctional appliances naturally promote healthy oral growth patterns to minimize the need for orthodontic treatment or phase II braces in the future. Children between the ages of 3-7 are the best candidates for growth modification with treatments like Myobrace.

Girl brushing her teethMyofunctional appliances (such as Myobrace and similar devices) help restore normal oral function by removing external habits. For instance, crowded teeth may result from poor tongue posture or lip tightness. When we remove these forces in young children, nature helps guide their smile back where it belongs.

A Natural Way of Restoring Oral Function

The position of our teeth and jaw shape influences our breathing and swallowing habits. Unfortunately, teeth can be crowded at a young age, leading to sleeping issues, bedwetting, or difficulty concentrating. By improving total oral function through myofunctional appliance therapy, we guide oral anatomy back into a state of normalcy.

What Ages Qualify for Myofunctional Therapy?

Ideally, the best timeframe to adjust growth patterns is between the ages of 3-7 years old, with some children receiving treatment as late as 9 years old. There are occasionally exceptions to the rule where a child is much older, but therapy works best while they are young and their mouths are rapidly developing. Treatments can begin as early as 18-24 months of age.

What to Expect

A myofunctional device works over the course of several months, with most children sleeping in their appliance and some wearing it throughout the day. No moulds or 3D scans are needed, as most of these appliances are premade in specific sizes, similar to palatal expanders. We simply select the appropriate size and type of appliance the same day.

Parents will want to remain vigilant the first two weeks, reminding their child to wear their appliance at nighttime.

Myofunctional Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

Does it hurt?

No. We use soft, age-appropriate appliances to ensure your child’s comfort at all times.

Will myofunctional treatment prevent the need for braces?

Myofunctional therapy reduces the need for more complex stage II braces and sometimes eliminates the need for them altogether. Others may only need minor tooth adjustments, making Invisalign trays an ideal choice once they’re older.

My child is 12 years old. Are they too old for Myobrace?

Myofunctional therapy is best for children under 7-9 years of age. Older children may only qualify in limited case-by-case circumstances.

Reserve a Consultation

Contact us today to find out if myofunctional therapy can help your child. We look forward to assisting you!

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