The Myobrace System is a pre-orthodontic treatment designed to correct the underlying causes of crooked teeth, typically without the need for braces or extractions. Ideal for children between the ages of 3 and 15, Myobrace uses a series of removable intraoral appliances that work to correct poor oral habits, develop the jaw, and align the teeth as they grow. This non-invasive approach unlocks a child’s natural potential for proper jaw and dental development, supporting a healthier smile over time.
What Does Myobrace Do?
The Myobrace treatment focuses on optimizing several key areas of oral health and function:
- Correcting Poor Oral Habits: Many children develop habits that contribute to misalignment, such as mouth breathing, thumb sucking, or improper tongue posture. Myobrace works to correct these habits, which are often the root cause of dental issues.
- Jaw Development and Alignment: By addressing poor oral habits, Myobrace helps the jaw grow to its full potential, ensuring there’s adequate space for all teeth to emerge naturally straight.
- Improving Facial Development: Proper tongue posture and nasal breathing promote balanced facial growth, influencing the structure and appearance of the face.
- Promoting Overall Health: Myobrace helps children establish healthy habits like nasal breathing and correct swallowing patterns, which benefit both dental and respiratory health.
- Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits: A built-in nutrition program within the Myobrace System helps children learn the value of a diet that supports healthy teeth and jaw development.
How Myobrace Works: The Treatment Stages
The Myobrace System is structured to treat both the visible symptoms of crooked teeth and the underlying causes through a series of phases. Each stage uses specifically designed intraoral appliances and exercises to guide jaw growth and improve dental alignment.
Stage 1: Habit Correction
The first stage of Myobrace treatment focuses on addressing poor oral habits that interfere with proper dental alignment and jaw development. These habits, such as mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, incorrect swallowing, and poor lip closure, can hinder jaw growth and result in crowded or crooked teeth.
In this stage, Myobrace appliances train children to:
- Breathe through the nose instead of the mouth, which encourages jaw growth.
- Rest the tongue in the correct position against the roof of the mouth to support natural jaw expansion.
- Swallow correctly, preventing forward tongue pressure on the teeth.
- Keep lips together when not speaking or eating, which encourages proper muscle function around the mouth.
Correcting these habits early on gives the jaw a better chance to grow to its full size, creating the necessary space for all teeth to align naturally.
Stage 2: Arch Development
In cases where jaw development needs additional support, Myobrace provides appliances that focus on arch expansion. This stage is critical for children with underdeveloped jaws or narrow dental arches, as it creates sufficient room for teeth and the tongue. The gentle pressure from Myobrace appliances widens the upper jaw over time, allowing space for the adult teeth to emerge in proper alignment.
For children older than seven, additional arch development tools, such as the Biobloc or Farrell Bent Wire System™, may be combined with Myobrace to speed up progress and help the jaw expand to its natural width.
Stage 3: Dental Alignment
The third stage, dental alignment, typically begins when the last of the permanent teeth start to come in. In this phase, Myobrace for Teens appliances guide each tooth into its natural position, aligning the smile without the need for fixed braces. The removable Myobrace appliance applies light forces that encourage teeth to settle in their ideal positions as they grow.
Because Myobrace appliances are removable, patient cooperation is essential during this phase. Daily wear—both for an hour during the day and while sleeping—is key to achieving the best results. In cases where more alignment is needed, braces may still be an option, but typically for a shorter duration, with the Myobrace continuing to support alignment.
Stage 4: Retention
Retention is the final stage and ensures that the corrected habits and alignment are maintained long-term. By continuing to use Myobrace retainers and following the established habits, children can often avoid the need for permanent retainers or wires.
Retention prevents teeth from shifting back out of alignment and maintains the stability of the newly aligned smile. With consistent use and healthy oral habits, Myobrace treatment helps to secure a beautiful, long-lasting smile.
Additional Health Benefits of Myobrace
In addition to dental alignment and jaw development, Myobrace treatment addresses various health issues related to poor oral habits:
- Breathing and Airway Health: Poor oral habits often impact breathing, which can lead to respiratory issues. By promoting nasal breathing, Myobrace supports better airway function, which can reduce the risk of sleep apnea and improve overall health.
- TMJ and Jaw Joint Health: The Myobrace System can alleviate jaw tension and discomfort by correcting functional habits, supporting balanced jaw function.
- Nutrition Education: Myobrace’s built-in nutrition program teaches children about healthy dietary choices, which are essential for dental health. Reducing sugar intake and eating nutrient-dense foods can prevent tooth decay and support strong teeth and jaw bones.
The Role of Myobrace Activities in Success
The Myobrace System includes a set of exercises known as Myobrace Activities, which children perform twice daily. These activities help reinforce correct breathing, swallowing, tongue positioning, and lip closure. Consistency with these activities, along with the use of the appliance, is crucial to achieving optimal results.
The Bottom Line
The Myobrace System offers a non-invasive, preventive approach to orthodontics, focusing on the root causes of misaligned teeth. By starting early, Myobrace can guide children’s growth in a way that fosters naturally straight teeth, often eliminating the need for braces. Through habit correction, arch development, and dental alignment, Myobrace supports healthy oral function, balanced facial development, and lifelong benefits for both health and appearance.
