Braces seem to be a rite of passage for most children and teens. However, there are drawbacks – braces can cause shortening of tooth roots; they are hard to keep clean and can break down tooth enamel.
For some patients, Dr. Jim Telloian of Stillwater Dental Wellness Center advocates an alternative to braces that not many people in the United States are aware of, though it has been around the world for over 50 years. He explains, “Research shows that it is poor oral habits (known as myofunctional habits) that are the real, underlying causes of crooked teeth, so we straighten teeth without braces.”
Stillwater Dental uses a product called Myobrace that uses light, intermittent forces to align the teeth. The idea is that if you correct tongue habits and correct lip postures the teeth will come in straight.
Ideally, children between the ages of 5 – 12 are fitted with a series of removable dental appliances that are worn for one to two hours each day and overnight while sleeping. It looks a lot like a sports guard. It retrains the tongue, helping the mouth expand. Then, the children do exercises that teach them to smile correctly because airway issues can cause teeth to come in crooked. When you correct the airway issue, the teeth will straighten.
The Myobrace treatment process involves three steps:
Step 1: Explain treatment process. Dr. Telloian will answer any questions you may have about the treatment. Once you understand this process and are ready to proceed, a trained staff member will take photographs, impressions and possibly x-rays.
Step 2: Discuss treatment plan. Dr. Telloian will discuss the treatment plan he prepared. He will give you an idea of the treatment timeframe, the Myobrace appliances required and treatment cost.
Step 3: Receive first Myobrace appliance. The patient will receive the first Myobrace appliance and will begin the education program with activities, and/or Myofunctional exercises. It is essential to wear the appliance as suggested, attend regular check-ups and follow steps in the treatment plan.
For more information about Myobrace, contact Stillwater Dental Wellness Center at 360-352-0847.
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