Functional appliances
A functional appliance is a removable orthodontic device that uses the facial and jaw muscles to improve the way that the teeth bite together. They are most commonly advised for patients who have prominent teeth. Functional appliances have the ability to produce dramatic improvements that tend to work most effectively in growing patients and are not used in adults.
What is a functional appliance used for?
Buck teeth and misaligned bites can be attributed to out of proportion jaw growth. A functional appliance is usually recommended before braces are applied. Although they are removable, they usually need to be worn throughout the day as well as in bed at night to maintain the best result. The only times that a functional appliance should be removed is to brush your teeth, to eat and when participating in contact sports or swimming.
Cleaning your appliance
Removable appliances can be cleaned with toothbrush and toothpaste outside of your mouth but make sure to avoid using hot water as it could potentially soften the acrylic parts and bend them out of shape
How long is treatment with a functional appliance?
The treatment time varies according to how prominent the front teeth are at the start of the treatment. The most typical treatment duration is between 9 – 12 months.
It is possible to use a functional appliance while milk teeth are still present. Once the functional appliance treatment is complete, most patients will move onto fixed appliance orthodontic treatment such as braces in order to fully correct their teeth.
What is a twin block?
A twin block appliance is a new technology which helps to normalise jaw growth during the pre-teen years (ages 10 – 12) when the bones are most flexible. It is comprised of two plates – for both the upper and lower jaw. Depending on the treatment required, your child may need to have headgear connected for a certain amount of hours each day to get the best results.
These are one of the fastest-working functional appliances that deliver results in a very short space of time. They are entirely removable and produce noticeable results while allowing for a normal speech during treatment. They do, however, need to be fitted at exactly the right time making early screening vital.
What should I know about functional appliances?
There are some important factors that patients should know when it comes to functional appliances.
- The more time spent wearing the appliance will help you reach your goal quicker
- If you get sore spots on your gums, contact your orthodontist to have your appliance adjusted. Do not try to do it yourself.
- When removing your appliance, be sure to store it in the designated orthodontic case
- Whilst wearing your appliance be sure to keep your lips together as it will make the appliance work faster and prevent it from falling out at night
What other types of functional appliances are there?
Activators, monoblocs, bionaters and Frankles are just a few of the functional appliances that are available. They can be designed to not only move teeth but to also correct the alignment of the jaws. The most common objective is to correct an underdeveloped jaw which is why it is vital that orthodontic screening occurs at an early age ( 7 – 8 years) to ensure that it isn’t too late to used functional appliances.
It is possible for a functional appliance to be used alone to correct an orthodontic problem but most commonly, the treatment is combined with the use of fixed appliances to get the best results.
Some lesser-known functional appliances include the Nance “button” and the Lower Lingual Holding arch. The Nance “button” is a holding arch used to maintain space in the mouth. If a child loses their baby teeth prematurely, the first molars to erupt may move forward because there is nothing to hold them back. This partial acrylic plate has two metal bands that hold the back teeth in position until the other teeth erupt. The Lower Lingual Holding arch works similarly but for the bottom teeth.
Find out more about functional appliances by contacting our office on 1300 2 Braces.
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