Myobrace® is a non-invasive pre-orthodontic treatment designed to tackle the root causes of misaligned and crooked teeth during dental growth. 

Many children develop tooth misalignment due to improper oral habits formed in their early years. These habits disrupt the facial structure, leading to various medium to severe orthodontic issues over time.

Treating children during their jaw growth phase is more effective than relying solely on corrective braces. If you are a parent, you now have the option of a proactive approach with Myobrace to address orthodontic concerns early on, rather than wait for permanent teeth to set in.

By seeking timely treatment, parents like yourself can help your children correct the root causes of tooth misalignment and potentially avoid the need for braces later in life.

I have written this article to break down:

• What Myobrace® is;
• The benefits and advantages of using Myobrace®;
• What the Myobrace® involves and;
• The comparison between alternative treatments like traditional braces and Invisalign. 

 

What is Myobrace®?

Myobrace® is known as the “no-braces” treatment method. It is designed to train the muscles in the mouth and face to:

• Improve breathing;
• Chewing function, and; 
• Eliminate harmful oral posture habits that contribute to malocclusion formation. 

In Singapore, Myobrace® is recognized as a non-braces pre-orthodontic approach.

This orthodontic system has been tailored for children (aged 5 to 15) who might not be suitable for braces treatment yet. The treatment system works to align teeth by addressing incorrect dental, jaw, and facial development caused by poor oral habits. 

At Kong Dental Surgery, we believe that early intervention can correct dental alignment and guide the teeth of your child and the supporting structures to a natural position. This change fosters not only straighter teeth but also promotes positive growth and development.

Seek early intervention for the dental health of your child.

What is the purpose of Myobrace®?

Myobrace® serves as a proactive preventative measure in averting numerous orthodontic issues in the future. 

They address the root causes of bite misalignment to promote better nasal breathing, correct tongue posture and discourage improper oral habits. 

The device is crafted from flexible silicone material that conforms to various arch forms. Myobrace® expands the arch, facilitating adequate space for proper teeth alignment.

What conditions can Myobrace® fix?

Myobrace® is a preventative pre-orthodontic approach that targets the root causes of misaligned teeth. Using Myobrace® usually helps reduce the future necessity for braces or tooth extractions, thus promoting natural growth and development. 

Some conditions that Myobrace® can fix are: 

• Teeth overcrowding;
• Gaps between teeth;
• Overbite;
• Underbite;
• Crossbite;
• Open bite, and;
• Thumb sucking habits.

This treatment is most suitable for children aged 3 to 15 and entails the use of removable intraoral appliances worn for one to two hours daily, in addition to overnight usage during sleep.

Can Myobrace® fix an overbite?

Myobrace® is proficient in addressing mild to moderate overbites, as well as crowding, gaps between teeth, and thumb-sucking habits.

What are the benefits of Myobrace®?

The benefits of Myobrace® treatment include:

• Rectifying improper oral habits
• Enhancing and aligning jaw development
• Straightening teeth
• Optimising facial growth
• Improving overall health
• Encouraging healthy eating habits

Myobrace® pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Corrects poor oral habits	Requires consistent wear of appliances
Develops and aligns jaws	May not be suitable for severe cases
Straightens teeth	Initial discomfort for some patients
Optimises facial development	Cost may be a consideration
Improves overall health	Requires commitment to oral exercises
Promotes healthy eating habits	Potential need for additional treatments like braces

What are the side effects of Myobrace®?

No harmful effects have been reported with Myobrace® treatment. 

The appliances employed are flexible and apply gentle intermittent forces, aiding in muscle retraining and improving breathing patterns.

Does Myobrace® widen the jaw or change your facial structure?

Myobrace® contributes to widening the jaws by addressing oral myofunctional disorders (OMDs) that hinder optimal jaw growth and development. Well-formed jaws create sufficient space for teeth to naturally emerge straight, often negating the necessity for braces.

Is Myobrace® worth it?

The results of Myobrace® can be worth it in the long-term. 

Many parents of children that we work with report that their children have corrected their overbites. Teeth are typically aligned within 12 months. 

While Myobrace® can be pricey and require a lot of commitment from both the parents and children, the results can be significant. Both your oral health and systemic health can improve over time. 

How does Myobrace® work? 

Myobrace® works by training the tongue to be arranged properly in the upper jaw, retraining oral musculature and applying gentle forces to align teeth correctly. The treatment also makes use of myofunctional exercises to get rid of poor oral habits. 

Your tongue is a robust muscle that rests naturally against the roof of your mouth. This influences facial formation and dental alignment. Adjusting it to a correct posture ensures sealed lips and aligned jaws, fostering optimal facial growth.

When the tongue does not rest properly, it can obstruct the airway during sleep, leading to mouth breathing as a compensatory measure. Thumb sucking and jaw thrusting further contribute to irregular jaw development, causing various orthodontic issues.

By rectifying the root causes of improper tongue posture and promoting good oral habits through Myobrace®, adequate space for teeth is ensured.

Early intervention with these removable oral appliances expands the developing arch, creating space for teeth alignment. Additionally, they aid in addressing issues like tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, and thumb sucking.

What does the Myobrace® procedure involve?

The Myobrace® procedure is a 4-stage process:

Phase 1: Habit Correction Through Patient Education

The initial focus of Myobrace® therapy is to correct negative oral habits. 

This phase emphasises teaching your child to breathe through their nose and maintain closed lips. Rectifying these habits optimises arch expansion and proper jaw growth, promoting natural straightness and dental health.

Phase 2: Arch Development

Subsequently, the goal shifts to expanding the arch to create ample space for the tongue and incoming teeth. This proper arch development mitigates overcrowding and the risk of malocclusion.

Phase 3: Dental Alignment

In this stage, Myobrace® applies gentle force to align your teeth correctly. Ideally, this phase commences after all permanent teeth have emerged.

Phase 4: Retention

Following Myobrace® therapy, retainers are utilised to prevent teeth from reverting to their prior positions, akin to other orthodontic appliances.

Myobrace® offers an effective, natural approach to address myofunctional issues early on. It’s most beneficial to begin Myobrace® therapy during your child’s growth phase.

Does Myobrace® actually work?

Myobrace can work and is often regarded as a superior method for aligning teeth compared to traditional braces. This is because Myobrace promotes natural alignment, leading to excellent and lasting outcomes.

Studies indicate that Myobrace treatment stands out as one of the most efficient solutions for addressing common teeth alignment issues in children. These issues encompass poor jaw development, overcrowding, malocclusion, among others.

How effective is Myobrace® for adults?

Although initially developed for children, Myobrace® is gaining traction among adults – especially adults who have to deal with persistent mouth breathing or nocturnal breathing difficulties. 

Mouth breathing can result in various problems, ranging from dry mouth and bad breath to more severe conditions such as sleep apnea. 

For adults grappling with these issues, Myobrace® presents a promising option by reeducating the oral muscles to promote correct nasal breathing, potentially enhancing sleep patterns and overall respiratory wellness.

Are the results of Myobrace® treatment permanent?

The results of Myobrace® treatment are permanent. However, to achieve sustained results, it is important to put on retainers post-treatment. 

How long do I need to wear Myobrace®?

The duration of Myobrace® treatment varies based on:

• The age of the child receiving treatment;
• The extent of dental concerns, and;
• Their adherence to the treatment regimen. 

It may span from several months to a couple of years, necessitating routine check-ups and adjustments.

Do I need to wear retainers after Myobrace® treatment?

Yes you will need to wear retainers after Myobrace® treatment to sustain the results of treatment. 

Can I sleep with my Myobrace®?

Yes you can sleep with your Myobrace®. In fact, Myobrace® dental appliances must be worn everyday and during the night while sleeping for results. 

What should I expect when my child goes for Myobrace®?

As part of the habit correction phase aimed at adopting myofunctional habits, you and your child will participate in our Myobrace® patient education program. 

This program will teach your child how to perform a series of breathing, tongue, swallowing, lip, and cheek exercises twice daily while wearing their Myobrace® appliance.

Depending on the age of your child, and the specific orthodontic issue, your dentist may prescribe separate appliances as part of the Myobrace® treatment. Since Myobrace® involves removable appliances, parental supervision and ensuring your child wears them adequately are crucial for successful treatment. The results and duration of treatment will vary for each child.

To maintain the results achieved, your child will receive retainers and instructions for their use.

Would my child need Myobrace®?

Studies indicate that up to 70% of children as young as five years old may experience issues like misaligned teeth, irregular bites, or jaw disharmonies. 

These problems can stem from genetic factors, specific medical conditions, or notably poor myofunctional habits such as habitual open-mouth posture, mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, reverse swallowing, or thumb sucking, among others.

Think your child might require Myobrace®? 

What age can my child wear Myobrace®?

It’s advisable for children to begin using Myobrace® as early as feasible, ideally around the age of five or six. 

This timing is optimal as the treatment yields the best results during the initial phases of dental development, prior to the full eruption of permanent teeth. Nevertheless, Myobrace® can still deliver effective outcomes for older children and adults, contingent upon their individual dental requirements. 

Consulting with a dental expert is essential to ascertain the most suitable time to commence Myobrace® treatment for your child.

What is the best age to start Myobrace®?

The best age to start Myobrace® is as early as possible. 

Myobrace® treatment is typically recommended for children aged 5 to 15. While it can be effective for older individuals as well, initiating treatment early often leads to faster responses and improved outcomes.

Myobrace® vs traditional braces 

	Myobrace®	Traditional Braces
Treatment Focus	Addresses oral habits, jaw development, and teeth alignment	Focuses solely on straightening teeth and correcting bite
Age Suitability	Typically for children aged 3 to 15	Suitable for children, teens, and adults
Treatment Duration	Can vary, often several months to a few years	Usually spans from 1 to 3 years depending on the case
Appliance Type	Removable intraoral appliances	Fixed brackets and wires
Comfort	Generally comfortable, may have initial discomfort	Initial discomfort and adjustments required
Aesthetic Appeal	Less noticeable, especially when worn overnight	Visible brackets and wires
Maintenance	Requires regular oral exercises and appliance care	Regular adjustments and maintenance by orthodontist
Flexibility	Allows for eating and brushing without appliances	Restrictions on certain foods and cleaning techniques
Orthodontic Issues	Addresses oral habits, jaw growth, and alignment	Primarily focuses on teeth alignment and bite correction

Is it better to go for Myobrace® or traditional braces? 

Myobrace® is considered to be a better alternative to traditional braces as they treat minor dental problems before they turn into major ones. 

Myobrace® has the potential to obviate the necessity for traditional braces in the future, or at least reduce the duration of wearing them.

Its gentle and comfortable nature makes Myobrace® a fitting treatment for patients who are not yet ready for braces. Early intervention with Myobrace® is notably more effective than corrective measures taken after issues have developed.

Myobrace® vs Invisalign

	Myobrace®	Invisalign
Treatment focus	Primarily addresses oral habits and jaw development	Focuses on straightening teeth through clear aligners
Age suitability	Typically for children aged 3 to 15	Suitable for teens and adults of various ages
Treatment duration	Can vary, often several months to a few years	Usually ranges from several months to a couple of years
Appliance type	Removable intraoral appliances	Clear aligners
Orthodontic issues	Addresses oral habits, jaw development, teeth alignment	Primarily targets teeth misalignment and bite correction
Daily wear	Generally worn for 1 to 2 hours daily plus overnight	Worn for 20 to 22 hours daily, except during eating and brushing
Applicability	Effective for mild to moderate orthodontic issues	Suitable for a wide range of orthodontic problems

Is it better to go for Myobrace® or Invisalign?

Myobrace® primarily addresses poor oral habits and improper jaw development, but its usage is primarily geared towards children.

This does not mean that it is a treatment that is unsuitable for adults. However, should you require teeth alignment as an adult, Invisalign might be a more suitable option. 

Myobrace® cost in Singapore

The average cost of Myobrace® treatment in Singapore ranges from 

How expensive is Myobrace®?

The cost of Myobrace® treatment can vary depending on several factors such as: 

• The severity and complexity of orthodontic issues,
• The duration of treatment, 
• The specific treatment plan prescribed by the dentist, and;
• The experience of the dentist.

Generally, Myobrace® treatment can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. 

It is best to consult with a dental professional who offers Myobrace® treatment to get an accurate estimate based on your individual needs.

Ask for an estimated cost for Myobrace® treatment at Kong Dental Surgery.

Is Myobrace® cheaper than Invisalign?

Myobrace® is typically priced lower than Invisalign. 

It is crucial to understand that Myobrace® is designed for children to proactively address potential orthodontic concerns, while Invisalign focuses on correcting existing orthodontic issues, thus accounting for the price disparity. 

Myobrace® cost at Kong Dental Surgery

The cost of Myobrace® at Kong Dental Surgery is $400. 

How do I know whether Myobrace® is suitable for me?

Myobrace® is often associated with paediatric treatment, but it can also be suitable for adults. The following are some common examples of symptoms indicating suitability for Myobrace orthodontic treatment in each group:

Adults with the following symptoms:

• Clicking jaw
• Frequent head or neck pain
• Teeth grinding

Children under the age of 15 with the following signs and symptoms:

• Crooked or misaligned teeth
• Mouth breathing
• Heavy nasal breathing, occasional snoring
• Lips don’t touch at rest
• Chin visibly strained with closed lips
• Lips move during swallowing
• Lower lip rests on or behind the front teeth

Who is not suitable for Myobrace® treatment?

The Myobrace® system is not recommended for individuals with severe skeletal discrepancies or significant malocclusions. 

Since Myobrace® is a removable appliance, its effectiveness relies on good compliance. Consequently, individuals with poor compliance might not benefit fully from Myobrace® treatment.

What are some Myobrace® treatment alternatives?

Some alternatives to Myobrace® treatment include:

1. Traditional Braces: These are the conventional metal or ceramic brackets and wires used to straighten teeth and correct bite issues. They are effective for various orthodontic problems but may be less discreet compared to Myobrace.

2. Invisalign: This is a clear aligner system that gradually moves teeth into the desired position. Invisalign is removable and nearly invisible, making it a popular choice for adults and older teens.

3. Functional Appliances: These are devices like Herbst appliances or Twin Blocks that focus on jaw correction and bite alignment. They are often used for more complex orthodontic cases involving jaw discrepancies.

4. Palatal Expanders: These devices are used to widen the upper jaw to create space for crowded teeth. They are typically used in younger patients to address skeletal issues.

5. Orthodontic Retainers: Retainers are used after orthodontic treatment to maintain the position of the teeth. They can be fixed or removable, depending on the individual’s needs.

6. Orthodontic Surgery: In severe cases of malocclusion or jaw misalignment, orthodontic surgery may be recommended as a treatment option.

The choice of treatment depends on factors such as the patient’s age, the severity of their orthodontic issues, personal preferences, and the recommendation of their orthodontist or dentist.

Myobrace® can help you or your child address minor dental problems before they become major and expensive ones.

Myobrace® is a highly recommended treatment alternative for children in need of teeth straightening. Its proactive approach not only addresses current alignment issues but also promotes healthy dental habits, preventing potential complications in the future. 

At Kong Dental Surgery, we advise parents to promptly address any observed bad oral habits in their children, such as mouth breathing, thumb sucking, or tongue thrusting. With its focus on natural alignment and early intervention, Myobrace stands out as a reliable and effective option if you are seeking the best dental care for your children.

Book an appointment with Kong Dental Surgery for Myobrace® treatment.

Kong Dental Surgery – The Myobrace® dentist near you 

If you are living near Jurong, Teck Whye, Sunshine Place (Choa Chu Kang), Limbang, or Yew Tee and are looking for Myobrace® treatment, Kong Dental Surgery might be suitable for your Myobrace® treatment needs. 

Book an appointment with us to see whether you are suitable for Myobrace® treatment.