Support Your Child in Reaching Their Full Genetic Potential with Myofunctional Orthodontics
Myobrace® in San Antonio, Texas, offers a revolutionary no-braces solution for improving smiles by addressing the root cause of misaligned teeth. Unlock your child’s natural smile potential with Myobrace at Olmos Park Dental.
What is Myobrace®?
Myobrace is an orthodontic treatment suited for children aged 3-15 and an orthopedic system that can also be used with adults. Unlike conventional orthodontic treatments that fix issues after they’ve already developed, Myobrace is preventive. This system uses a series of removable orthodontic appliances to correct poor oral habits so that the results are less likely to relapse long-term.
The Myobrace system encourages healthy oral habits such as nose breathing, proper swallowing, optimal tongue resting position, and keeping the lips together. These habits, in turn, let Myobrace help you achieve the following benefits:
- Optimal facial development
- Straightened teeth
- Improved jaw alignment
- Enhanced oral health
- Healthier eating habits
Correcting poor functional habits and stimulating the jaws to grow to their full size and shape creates enough room for teeth. The teeth come naturally straight, eliminating the need for braces and other orthodontic treatments.
What can I expect from Myobrace?
The treatment begins with a consultation with Dr. Brandi Lindsey. Understanding the treatment is important for both adults and children to maximize its benefits. During the consultation, Dr. Lindsey will thoroughly explain the treatment process and use digital scans, photos, and x-rays (when necessary) to assess the stages of tooth eruption and jaw development. This information will help her create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs.
The Myobrace system includes a series of intra-oral appliances to be worn for two hours each day and overnight while sleeping. This approach aims to correct poor oral habits and expand the dental arch by applying gentle forces on the teeth and jaws. It is important to note that Myobrace is not a one-size-fits-all solution; the specific appliance used will depend on your child’s age and the orthodontic issue being addressed. In many instances, Dr. Lindsey also incorporates an expansion device or ALF (Advanced Lightwire Functionals) alongside Myobrace treatment.
In addition to using Myobrace/myofunctional orthopedic appliances, the treatment includes a patient education program called oral myofunctional therapy. Dr. Lindsey incorporates Myobrace® Activities, enabling patients to use them as a training system to complete myofunctional therapy at home. These activities are performed twice daily and include various exercises designed to improve swallowing, breathing, and the resting position of the tongue.
How does Myobrace work? The four treatment stages
Therapy often begins with making space for the tongue and orthopedic alignment. Myobrace is usually later in the orthodontic stage, especially if they don’t have space for their tongue. Dr. Lindsey needs to make space for the tongue and correct jaw alignment before myofunctional orthopedics can be used. Myobrace treatment typically begins by addressing poor habits, then gradually introduces other appliances to correct the underlying causes of orthodontic issues and help align teeth as they emerge.
Treatment time depends on the child, although older children need more time to fix poor oral habits and developmental problems that have already formed. However, with dedication, we’ll achieve the desired outcomes.
Here are the four treatment stages involved with Myobrace.
- Habit correction: The treatment discourages poor oral habits that cause crooked teeth and poor jaw growth.
- Arch development: The treatment targets widening the upper jaw to create space for the teeth and tongue. Depending on your child’s age, the dentist will use special appliances.
- Dental alignment: As the permanent teeth erupt, Myobrace aligns them into a straighter, healthier position. Because Myobrace appliances are removable, compliance is vital to achieve the desired outcomes. Conventional braces may be used depending on the extent of crookedness, but treatment typically takes a shorter time.
- Retention: Maintaining good oral habits is crucial for preserving results and can eliminate the need for a fixed retainer. If braces are used, a retainer may be recommended to prevent orthodontic relapse.
Ready to straighten teeth without braces?
Don’t wait for orthodontic issues to develop before taking action! Take control of your child’s oral health with Myofunctional orthopedics and myofunctional therapy from Olmos Park Dental. Call (210) 767-3525 to get started with treatment.
