Myofunctional & Airway Therapy
Preventive care that addresses the root cause, not just the teeth.
What Is Myobrace?
Most orthodontic problems don't start with crooked teeth. They start with how a child breathes, swallows, and holds their tongue. When those patterns are off, they can interfere with how the jaw develops, leading to crowding, bite issues, and airway concerns that only become more complex with age.
Myofunctional therapy and the Myobrace system take a different approach. Rather than waiting for all the permanent teeth to come in and then correcting the result, we address the underlying habits early, when the jaw is still growing and there's real opportunity to guide it.
This is exactly the kind of root-cause thinking that functional dentistry is built on.
When children breathe through their mouths or rest their tongue in the wrong position, it changes the forces acting on the developing jaw. Over time, that can mean a narrower arch, less room for permanent teeth, and a face that doesn't grow to its full potential. Myobrace supports the jaw in developing properly by correcting those habits — often reducing or eliminating the need for braces later.
Why This Matters Beyond the Smile
DMD, FAGD
At Midtown Dental Wellness, we look at the mouth as a window into whole-body health. Airway and breathing function are no exception.
Research suggests that chronic mouth breathing and poor airway development in children can be connected to disrupted sleep, difficulty concentrating, and changes in facial growth. Addressing these patterns early doesn't just support a healthier smile — it supports healthier development overall.
Myobrace fits naturally into our functional approach because it treats the reason a problem exists, not just what shows up on an X-ray.
How It Works
Habit Correction
Treatment begins by retraining the foundational habits: nasal breathing, proper lip posture, and correct tongue position. These are the habits that allow the jaw to grow the way it was designed to.
Arch Development
As the jaw develops, the appliance supports the arch widening to create enough space for incoming permanent teeth, reducing crowding before it starts.
Dental Alignment
As permanent teeth erupt, the focus shifts to guiding them into their natural position, often with minimal or no need for traditional braces.
Retention
The final stage reinforces the healthy habits formed during treatment to ensure long-term stability. Because the result is driven by function, not just mechanics, the teeth are far less likely to shift back.
Is My Child a Candidate?
Myobrace is most effective when started early, ideally between ages 5 and 8, but can be appropriate up to age 15 depending on the child's stage of development. It may be a good fit if your child:
- Breathes through their mouth, especially during sleep
- Snores or has restless sleep
- Has crowded, crooked, or protruding teeth
- Has a narrow jaw or underdeveloped bite
- Thumb sucks or has other oral habits
A consultation is the best way to know for sure. We'll do a thorough evaluation and walk you through exactly what we're seeing — and whether Myobrace makes sense for your child.
Ready to learn more?
Schedule a consultation and we'll take a thorough look at your child's airway, jaw development, and oral habits; And give you a clear picture of what we're seeing and what we'd recommend.
Contact us
Your smile starts here. Fill out the form and we’ll take care of the rest.
Prefer to call? Contact us: 919-600-7227
FAQs
Our primary goal is to deliver results that look and feel like you, just elevated. Dr. Patel customizes every restoration—matching shade, shape, and light translucency—to harmonize naturally with your unique facial features and skin tone.
No. We prioritize biomimetic and minimally invasive techniques, meaning we preserve as much of your natural tooth structure and enamel as possible. Treatments like composite bonding, professional whitening, and conservative veneers enhance your smile without compromising its strength.
While traditional insurance rarely covers purely elective cosmetic procedures, certain treatments that restore function (such as cosmetic crowns, tooth-colored fillings, or bridges) may qualify for insurance benefits. Additionally, members of our in-house Membership Plans receive 10% off additional procedures, including many restorative and cosmetic treatments.
We believe everyone deserves a smile they feel confident in. To make comprehensive smile makeovers and cosmetic care accessible, we partner with Cherry to offer flexible monthly payment plans with fast, instant approvals and no hidden fees, allowing you to pay over time on terms that work for you.