If you had braces yourself or suffered from orthodontic problems as a child, you know that it is a long, difficult process to get straight teeth. But what if there was a way to prevent these problems in your children? The vast majority of children and teenagers experience oral misalignment. However, with modern dental technology, there is now a way to correct bite and misalignment problems early, even while your child still has their baby teeth.
That’s where Myobrace® and Healthystart® come in. These incredible new orthodontic options for children can dramatically reduce the amount of time your child will spend in braces, they may not even need them altogether. They also correct improper tongue alignment, sleep-related disorders and mouth breathing. As a dentist and a mother myself, I want the best for my pediatric patients. That is why I am now fully certified to offer Myobrace® and Healthystart® technology in the clinic.
What is Myobrace® and Healthystart® Technology?
Both Myobrace® and HealthyStart are myofunctional oral appliances. This means that they work to prevent and correct disorders that involve the facial muscles, also known as Orofacial Myofuncional Disorders.
Myobrace® and Healthystart® are groundbreaking treatments that are designed to correct bad habits as well as re-train orofacial muscles to form correctly. This can help to prevent future orthodontic problems in adulthood and correct crooked teeth in children.
Signs Your Child May Have A Myofunctional Disorder
Myofuncional disorders can be difficult to identify because there are a wide range of symptoms in children. They are most often caused by incorrect nasal breathing, which subsequently affects a wide range of related things such as swallowing, speaking and sleeping (sleep apnea).
Children will resort to mouth breathing, which can permanently affect the structure of their orofacial muscles, as well as their tongue placement. A lack of sleep and difficulty performing everyday tasks can lead to a host of subsequent problems such as difficulty concentrating in school, irritability and low grades. Learn more about the symptoms to watch for on our Myobrace® homepage.
If you are unsure whether or not your child has a myofunctional disorder, come in and visit us at the office. Our team can thoroughly check your child’s bite as well as breathing habits at the clinic. Be sure to mention any additional signs and symptoms you have noticed as well. This will help to give us more information and provide the correct diagnosis.
How It Works
The Myobrace® System is designed to teach kids correct tongue positioning and swallowing. It aids in correct cranial facial growth so your kids can reach their potential and correct problems early before they worsen in adulthood. Myobrace® and Healthystart® technology addresses these poor oral habits. They correct the problems that lead to a crooked bite (malocclusion) which eliminates or dramatically reduces the need for braces in the future.
Both Myobrace® and Healthystart® are most effective on children 12 years and under. This is because their teeth are still growing into place and it is much easier to shift them into alignment.
A major benefit to Myobrace® and Healthystart® is that they do not need to be worn 24/7. These retainer-like appliances only need to be worn at night, as well as for 1-2 hours during the day. This makes them much more low maintenance and comfortable when compared to traditional forms of orthodontic alignment like braces and Invisalign.
The appliances are custom-fitted to your child’s bite and must be worn as directed. They are soft and comfortable to wear, unlike braces and forms of clear aligners. Treatment times vary depending on the severity of the bite however most patients see a big difference in the first few months. Ultimately it should be worn for 1-2 years before transitioning to a retainer to keep the teeth in place. The appliances look very non-intimidating for kids and teenagers, they have a retainer-like appearance.
Myobrace® vs Healthystart®
Myobrace® and Healthystart® are often used interchangeably, as they serve relatively the same purpose. Both are designed to encourage proper jaw and tooth alignment before they worsen. Healthystart® focuses on tongue position while Myobrace® puts more emphasis on muscle movement and training. However, both treatments use the same retainer-like aligners and aim to straighten your child’s teeth while also promoting nasal breathing, optimized airflow and improve sleep-disordered breathing.
What Parents Should Know About Early Orthodontic Intervention
The Myobrace® and Healthystart® systems are early orthodontic devices that I use personally with my kids and in my experience as a Dentist, It has been life-altering.
Every parent wants the best for their children. And this is a way to not only give your child a healthier smile but also set your child up for orthodontic success in adulthood. With Myobrace® and Healthystart® technology, your child will spend less time in braces and may be able to avoid them altogether in their teenage and early adult years. There is no ‘right’ age to start treatment however younger patients aged 5-10 are ideal. Habits can become more difficult to correct as a patient gets older.
That not only saves your child the hassle of future orthodontic problems, but it also helps you save money in the future. It’s perfect for kids with habits such as thumb sucking, insomnia and behaviour problems. Early interceptive orthodontics can also be combined with palliative expanders in order to combat-related problems such as early childhood sleep apnea.
Visit Lawson Dentistry for Myobrace® and Healthystart® Orthodontics
We really encourage you to call us if you think your child would be a good candidate for this. If they are suffering from anything mentioned above, or you simply feel they would benefit, it’s always best to get a professional opinion. We look forward to helping you and learning more about your case. We are now fully certified to treat pediatric clients who require early orthodontic treatment, so you can give your child a healthier smile, and a promising future. Call us at (515) 278-4366 or contact Lawson Dentistry today.
