What is Myofunctional Appliance?
Myofunctional appliances are intraoral devices that utilize the forces of orofacial muscles to guide and influence dental and skeletal growth and development. It is also sometimes called “tongue trainer”.
It can be comparable to nightguards in certain aspects, such as their intraoral design and nighttime wear, but their purposes are different.
It is a preventative treatment that attempts to:
correct breathing habits, encourage nose breathing,
train tongue positioning/hyperactivity
desensitizing patients to intraoral appliances
It is well known that poor habits can affect jaw growth/bite patterns which contributes to orthodontic issues such as underbite, underdeveloped jaws and more.
The primary goal of myofunctional treatment is to reduce these effects and hopefully reduce the severity compared to non-treatment.
It is often prescribed for early intervention for children with already apparent orthodontic issues but not yet suitable for full orthodontic treatment.
What are the Risks and Limitations?
Doctor supervision and prescription should always be followed
Certified Orthodontists are the best professionals to determine when the patient is ready for orthodontic treatment or not.
If any questions arise, remember to address it to your orthodontist as soon as possible.
Generally, the appliance carries low risk when proper oral hygiene is maintained and periodic monitoring is performed—even with long-term use.
It is important that the appliance is thoroughly cleaned each day.
Our office can provide additional tips and guidance to help ensure effective cleaning and safe use.
It is important for the patient to understand that:
The extent of improvements depends on patient’s compliance and individual’s biology
It is understood that since it involves soft tissues, it is NOT a precise treatment
Will still likely require orthodontic treatment after, involving metal fixed appliances, braces and/or clear aligners
Myofunctional treatment alone is insufficient to resolve all major orthodontic issues