Many parents assume that braces are the only way to straighten their child’s teeth, but what if there was a way to prevent misalignment in the first place? Airway orthodontics takes a more holistic approach by addressing the root causes—like poor oral habits, mouth breathing, and improper jaw development—before they lead to bigger issues.
This proactive method doesn’t just create straighter teeth; it supports better breathing, sleep, and overall health. Let’s dive into how airway orthodontics, and treatments like MyoBrace can help your child grow into a naturally healthy, beautiful smile—without the need for braces or surgery!
What is Pediatric Airway Orthodontics?
Have you ever wondered how traditional orthodontics may not be treating the root cause of crooked teeth? What if there was a holistic approach that practiced prevention as opposed to correction while keeping the overall health and well-being of your child in mind?
Pediatric airway orthodontics goes beyond dental health and alignment by improving your child’s airway function. It approaches orthodontic treatment in a more integrative manner by considering your child as a whole, rather than analyzing their teeth alone. As a preventative orthodontic practice, airway orthodontics targets the root cause of misalignment early on, preventing crooked teeth rather than correcting them later in life. This proactive treatment can help your child achieve a perfect smile without braces or surgery.
Airway orthodontics goes beyond tooth alignment—as it is myofunctional (focusing on muscle function in the mouth, face, and throat). In practice, myofunctional orthodontics improves the appearance and bite as well as assists your growing child with the development of their airway. A healthy airway leads to better breathing, better sleeping, better facial and jaw growth, and better overall health. It can also treat or prevent the symptoms associated with sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea.
So, how can you integrate this more holistic, early orthodontic treatment into your child’s life? Let’s find out!
What is MyoBrace?
The MyoBrace system is a form of preventative (or interceptive) early orthodontic treatment that corrects poor oral habits, promotes proper jaw development, and helps straighten teeth naturally—often preventing the need for braces.
Like the HealthyStart system, MyoBrace uses a series of removable oral appliances combined with myofunctional training exercises to guide natural dental and jaw development. By addressing the root causes of misalignment early—often as young as age three—this treatment helps create sufficient space for teeth to come in properly, reducing or even eliminating the need for braces.
Beyond straighter teeth, MyoBrace supports better breathing, improved facial development, and overall wellness. By correcting poor oral habits and encouraging proper tongue posture and airway function, it can lead to better sleep, mood, and long-term health benefits for your child. This interceptive early orthodontic treatment addresses the underlying issues that cause crooked teeth and narrow palates and helps to alleviate airway dysfunction. Not only will this lead to a beautiful smile, but a lifetime of more easeful sleep, behavior, mood, and improved overall well-being!
Is MyoBrace Right for My Child?
MyoBrace may be a great option if your child has:
- Mouth breathing instead of nasal breathing
- Snoring or sleep issues like restlessness or teeth grinding
- Speech difficulties or trouble pronouncing certain sounds
- Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use
- Crowded or misaligned teeth even before adult teeth come in
- A narrow jaw or receding chin
- Tongue thrusting or improper tongue posture
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
These early warning signs indicate possible myofunctional issues that could impact your child’s dental development, breathing, and overall health. Addressing them early with MyoBrace can help guide proper growth and prevent future orthodontic problems.
How MyoBrace Works
Your child will be given a series of intraoral appliances, called “trainers” that are worn for one hour each day as well as throughout the night while they sleep. The trainers help to correct poor oral habits and expand the arch in their mouth while exerting light forces to align their teeth and jaws. In addition to wearing the appliance, myofunctional therapy exercises may be offered to your child so they can learn how to breathe through their nose, rest their tongue correctly in the roof of their mouth, swallow correctly, and continue to widen their jaw so it can grow into its full and proper size.
Benefits of MyoBrace:
- Develops & aligns the jaws
- Straightens teeth
- Corrects poor oral habits
- Optimizes facial development
- Teaches proper breathing through the nose
- Corrects tongue resting position
- Supports correct swallowing
- Helps to keep the lips together
- Promotes healthy eating habits
- Improves overall health
Root Causes of Crooked Teeth
Did you know that 3 out of 4 children have crowded teeth and incorrect jaw development? We can determine these issues from as early as 3 to 5 years old. Recent research demonstrates that crowded teeth, incorrect jaw development and other orthodontic problems are due to mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, reverse swallowing and other incorrect myofunctional habits. Other factors are allergies, asthma, and an open mouth posture. Most adults today have experienced at least one or more of these myofunctional issues as a child.
Getting braces does not address the underlying causes of crooked teeth. This is why relapse is so common and most people need life-long retainers after getting braces. Receiving early airway orthodontic treatment, between the ages of 3-10 years (when a child’s face and airway is at the height of its development) offers the best results and lifelong benefits. The earlier you begin a MyoBrace treatment, the less costly and more conservative overall treatment needs to be. Most kids who start early treatment ultimately never end up needing braces.
MyoBrace Stages of Treatment
MyoBrace treatment begins with habit correction and works through a combination of three or more appliances to correct the causes of orthodontic issues helping to align the teeth as they grow into the mouth. Treatment can start as soon as poor myofunctional habits have been recognized. Older children who have had more time for incorrect habits and growth patterns to establish, can require extra effort for a successful treatment outcome. However, with good compliance, positive results can be achieved. When the MyoBrace appliances are implemented correctly and worn regularly along with maintaining correct oral habits, this allows for more stable orthodontic results and improved overall health.
Stage 1 – Habit Correction
The first stage of the MyoBrace treatment is habit correction. Habit corrections include teaching the patient the following techniques: how to breathe through their nose instead of their mouth, retrain the tongue to rest in the correct position, swallow in a healthier way, and keep the lips together when not eating or speaking. By focusing on correcting these oral habits that cause crooked teeth and poor jaw growth, your child will have the best possible chance to grow their jaws to proper and full size. This allows the teeth to come in straight naturally and often eliminates the need for braces later on.
Stage 2 – Arch Development
Along with habit correctors, arch development may be required to widen the upper jaw allowing sufficient space for the teeth and tongue. Children with underdeveloped jaws over seven years of age can be recommended to use appliances and techniques in combination with The MyoBrace System such as the Biobloc or The Farrell Bent Wire System (BWS) to achieve additional jaw development which helps by speeding up the overall treatment process. Whereas for younger age groups, the Myolay is more suitable and is used in combination with the MyoBrace.
Stage 3 – Dental Alignment
This stage occurs when the final permanent teeth are erupting, right around teenage years. MyoBrace for teens is used to align the teeth into their natural position.
Stage 4 – Retention
Retention is the final stage of the MyoBrace treatment. It aims to ensure healthy oral habits are maintained, which helps to prevent the need for a permanent retainer or wire for extended duration.
Common Questions About MyoBrace
How does the time & cost of MyoBrace compare to braces?
MyoBrace treatment typically costs about half as much as traditional braces, though the exact price depends on misalignment severity, patient compliance, and age. Early intervention can reduce both cost and treatment time.
Treatment duration is often similar to braces but may be shorter since MyoBrace addresses underlying myofunctional habits early. Success depends on consistent wear and following recommended exercises.
Are MyoBrace appliances comfortable for my child?
Yes! MyoBrace appliances are made from soft, flexible material for a comfortable fit. Since they are worn only a few hours a day and overnight, they are easy to adapt to. Plus, they encourage natural oral habits, improving long-term comfort.
What is the best age to start MyoBrace treatment?
Treatment can begin as early as age 3, but the ideal window is between 5 and 10 years old—when the jaw is still developing. However, the best time depends on your child’s unique needs and oral development.
Ready to Learn More?
If you are passionate about taking a proactive, holistic approach to pediatric dentistry or would like to learn more about airway orthodontics and the MyoBrace system for kids, don’t hesitate to contact us. You’ll be so happy you got an early start supporting a naturally beautiful smile for life!
