When we tell parents that there is an alternative to braces, that is less expensive, less painful, less invasive, and that not only straightens teeth, but develops the overall look of the face to its epigenetic potential, we get smiles and raised eyebrows. So how do we get “better faces with less braces?” Biofunctional Therapy.
Biofunctional Therapy has been around for decades. The concept behind this mode of treatment is do assess and deal with the root causes of “malocclusion” and poor jaw development. Braces do a wonderful job of straightening teeth, but for the most part, not much more. If the forces that caused crowding or flaring or other issues with teeth alignment and jaw development are not addressed, relapse occurs after braces. What are these forces? The muscles of the face and mouth, especially the tongue.
The tongue exerts 500grams of force on swallow. A person swallows 1500-2000 per day. If the tongue rests and pushes on the roof of the mouth during swallow, the upper jaw naturally expands to fit all the teeth and sit just right on top of the lower jaw. If how ever the tongue has learned bad habits like thrusting forward on swallow, or bracing behind lower front teeth, many other muscle changes occur that create poor bites. The phrase “form follows function” is very true when it comes to mouth/face muscles and resultant form/structure of teeth and jaws.
Please check out this website to learn about one of the systems we use to affect the best possible results, in an easy, no shot way!
MyoBrace.com
ALFtherapy.com
Smilelase.com
Babylase.com
ALFeducationalinstitute.com
LAFTR.org (also see Smilelase.com & Babylase.com for similar treatments!)
If you have questions or want a no charge consultation, please call our office today!
Below are articles we hope you’ll find helpful!
Causal Rel Malocclusion and Oral Muscle Dysfunction- Myofucntional Therapy Eur Jour Pediatric Dentistry
Short Frenulum Pediatric OSA Myofunctional Therapy
Short Lingual Frenulum and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children
