If your child breathes through their mouth, snores, or has crowded teeth, you may have come across Myobrace. It's an approach to early orthodontic treatment that aims to address the underlying causes of crooked teeth, rather than simply straightening them after the fact.
What Is Myobrace?
Myobrace is a preventive pre-orthodontic treatment system designed for children, typically between ages 3 and 15. Rather than using fixed braces or clear aligners to move teeth into position, Myobrace works on the habits and muscle patterns that cause teeth to develop incorrectly in the first place.
The system uses a series of removable intra-oral appliances worn for 1–2 hours during the day and overnight while sleeping. These appliances, combined with daily exercises called "myofunctional activities," help:
- Correct tongue posture and swallowing patterns
- Encourage nasal breathing instead of mouth breathing
- Develop the jaws to create space for teeth to align naturally
- Break habits like thumb sucking and tongue thrusting
Why Do Teeth Become Crooked?
Many parents assume crooked teeth are purely genetic. While genetics play a role, research suggests that soft tissue dysfunction — how a child breathes, swallows, and positions their tongue — has a significant impact on jaw development and tooth alignment.
Common contributors to poor dental development:
- Mouth breathing — leads to a narrow upper jaw and recessed lower jaw
- Tongue thrusting — pushes teeth forward during swallowing
- Thumb or dummy sucking — creates pressure that reshapes the dental arch
- Poor lip seal — lips that remain apart at rest affect jaw growth
By addressing these habits early, Myobrace aims to guide natural development rather than correcting problems after they've fully established.
How Does Myobrace Treatment Work?
The Assessment
At Shine Dental, Dr. Cho evaluates your child's:
- Breathing patterns (nasal vs. mouth breathing)
- Tongue position at rest and during swallowing
- Dental development and jaw growth
- Existing habits (thumb sucking, lip biting, etc.)
The Treatment Phases
Myobrace treatment typically progresses through a series of appliances, each designed for a specific phase:
- Habit correction — addressing mouth breathing and incorrect tongue position
- Arch development — encouraging the jaws to grow wide enough for all permanent teeth
- Dental alignment — gently guiding teeth into better positions
- Retention — maintaining results and reinforcing correct habits
Daily Commitment
Myobrace requires consistent effort from both the child and parents:
- Wear the appliance for 1–2 hours during the day (usually during homework or screen time)
- Wear it overnight while sleeping
- Complete daily myofunctional exercises (typically 5–10 minutes)
- Attend regular review appointments (usually every 6–8 weeks)
Compliance is crucial. Myobrace works only when worn consistently. Children who are unwilling or unable to comply with the routine may not achieve the desired results.
What Ages Does Myobrace Work For?
| Age Group | Focus |
|-----------|-------|
| 3–5 years | Habit correction (mouth breathing, thumb sucking) |
| 6–10 years | Jaw development and tooth alignment guidance |
| 11–15 years | Alignment correction as permanent teeth emerge |
The ideal window is often between ages 5 and 10, when the jaws are still actively growing and most responsive to guidance.
Myobrace vs. Traditional Braces
| Feature | Myobrace | Traditional Braces |
|---------|----------|-------------------|
| When used | Ages 3–15 (preventive) | Usually 11+ (corrective) |
| Approach | Addresses causes | Moves teeth mechanically |
| Removable | Yes | No |
| Wear time | 1–2 hrs/day + overnight | 24/7 for 1–3 years |
| Daily exercises | Required | Not required |
| Focus | Jaw development + habits | Tooth alignment |
It's important to note that Myobrace and braces are not always an either/or choice. Some children may benefit from Myobrace early treatment followed by a shorter course of braces later. Others may achieve sufficient results with Myobrace alone.
What Results Can You Expect?
With consistent use, Myobrace can help:
- Improve jaw development and facial symmetry
- Create space for permanent teeth to erupt more naturally
- Establish healthy breathing and swallowing patterns
- Reduce the need for braces or shorten treatment time if braces are still needed
Results vary from child to child and depend heavily on compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Myobrace actually work?
When worn consistently as directed, Myobrace can produce meaningful improvements in jaw development, tooth alignment, and breathing patterns. Results depend on the child's age, compliance, and specific issues being addressed.
Will my child still need braces after Myobrace?
Some children achieve sufficient improvement with Myobrace alone. Others may need a shorter or simpler course of orthodontic treatment. Dr. Cho will monitor progress and advise as your child's permanent teeth come in.
Is Myobrace comfortable for children?
The appliances are made from flexible, medical-grade silicone. Most children adapt within a few days. Initial drooling and mild discomfort are normal and temporary.
How long does Myobrace treatment take?
Treatment typically spans 1–3 years, depending on the child's age, specific issues, and compliance with wearing the appliance and doing exercises.
Book a Myobrace Assessment
Wondering whether Myobrace could help your child? Book a consultation at Shine Dental. Dr. Cho will assess your child's oral development and breathing patterns and explain whether pre-orthodontic treatment is appropriate.
We welcome families from Newington, Sydney Olympic Park, Wentworth Point, Auburn, Silverwater, and Lidcombe.
Call (02) 9748 4822 or book online.
Shine Dental — Unit 5, 8 Avenue of Americas, Newington NSW 2127
Open Mon–Wed & Fri 9am–5pm, Thu 9am–12pm