The Myobrace system is a preventive orthodontic treatment that has been used for over 30 years to guide the proper development of jaws and teeth in children. It is based on a simple idea: if bad habits are corrected in time, the jaw gets the chance to develop properly, and teeth often find their place without the need for a fixed appliance.
The therapy is non-invasive, painless, and tailored to children from an early age. Parents most often come in when they notice that teeth are growing one on top of another. But crooked teeth are usually the consequence, not the cause.
Why do children’s teeth grow crooked?
For a long time it was believed that crowded and crooked teeth were exclusively a matter of genetics. Genetics is indeed a factor, but modern research shows that bad oral habits play an equally important — and often more decisive — role. The muscles of the lips, cheeks, and tongue are the jaw’s “sculptors.” If they do not function properly, the bones develop in the wrong direction.
Bad oral habits as the main cause
The most common causes of improper jaw and tooth development are:
- Mouth breathing – when a child breathes through the mouth, the tongue drops to the floor of the oral cavity. Without the tongue resting on the palate, the upper jaw remains narrow and underdeveloped.
- Improper swallowing – if a child pushes their tongue against the front teeth when swallowing instead of pressing against the palate, the teeth may gradually protrude forward.
- Thumb or pacifier sucking – creates pressure that can narrow the jaw and lead to an open bite.
- Sleeping with an open mouth – is often a sign that the airways are not clear, which has a long-term effect on the development of the entire middle third of the face.
If you notice any of the above in your child, it is a signal for a preventive checkup — not a reason to panic.
What is the Myobrace system and how does it work?
The Myobrace system consists of soft, intraoral appliances made from medical-grade silicone. They are comfortable, are not worn at school, and children get used to them relatively quickly.
The appliance works with gentle forces on the lips, cheeks, and tongue, positioning them correctly. When the muscles begin to function properly, the jaw receives a natural stimulus to expand and develop to its full potential. Therapy involves wearing the appliance at night and for one to two hours during the day, usually while the child is playing or studying. Along with wearing the appliance, the child performs short daily exercises known as Myobrace Activities, which enhance the effect of the therapy.
What does the therapy look like, step by step?
Correction of bad habits
The child learns to breathe through the nose, to rest the tongue correctly on the palate, and to swallow properly.
Development of the dental arch
The jaw gradually expands to create enough space for all teeth and the tongue.
Tooth alignment
As permanent teeth erupt and settle into the arch, the appliance guides them into the correct position.
Retention
The final phase that consolidates the results achieved and permanently establishes good habits.
The entire process usually takes between 18 and 24 months, with regular follow-up appointments.
Does the therapy hurt and what should you expect?
Myobrace therapy is painless. Unlike a fixed appliance, which can cause discomfort due to pressure from wires and brackets, the Myobrace appliance works with gentle forces and does not irritate the gums or the oral mucosa. At the beginning, the child may feel some discomfort during the first few nights of wearing it, while getting used to the appliance. This is normal and passes quickly.
What requires more effort is not the appliance itself, but consistency. The results of therapy depend directly on how regularly the child wears the appliance and performs the exercises. Discipline and parental support are just as important a part of the therapy as the appliance itself.
Who is Myobrace therapy for?
Myobrace therapy is most suitable for children aged 3 to 15 years, and the ideal period to start is between the ages of 6 and 10, while both primary and permanent teeth are present and the jaw is still growing actively.
A checkup is recommended if the child:
- Breathes through the mouth during the day or sleeps with an open mouth
- Snores or tosses restlessly during sleep
- Has crowded teeth or teeth that are erupting one on top of another
- Pushes the tongue toward the teeth when swallowing
- Has a habit of thumb or pacifier sucking
A note for parents
- The earlier treatment begins, the better and more predictable the results
- Older children may have more deeply ingrained habits, which requires more effort
- The therapy is not intended for children with severe skeletal deformities
Myobrace for adults
The Myobrace system also offers appliances for adults, which are used to relieve symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ disorder), reduce snoring, and relax the muscles in cases of bruxism (teeth grinding during sleep).
Myobrace compared to fixed braces
Fixed braces are a mechanical therapy and represent the standard for precise tooth movement. They are most commonly used after age 12, when all permanent teeth have erupted. The Myobrace system is a biological therapy. It is applied considerably earlier and focuses on the causes of the problem. By correcting breathing and muscle function, a foundation is created for proper jaw development, which often reduces the need for fixed braces later on.
Myobrace appliance cost
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Specialist examination | 5,500 RSD |
| Follow-up appointment | 3,000 RSD |
| Myobrace appliancePrice applies to one phase of therapy | 30,000 RSD |
Since the therapy takes place over several phases, the total number of appliances depends on the individual treatment plan established at the specialist examination.
Frequently asked questions
When is the right time to schedule an appointment?
If, while reading this text, you recognized any of these habits in your child, that is sufficient reason for a preventive checkup. There does not need to be a visible dental problem for the checkup to be worthwhile. On the contrary — the greatest advantage of Myobrace therapy is that it works before the problem becomes visible.
At the DentalVortex clinic in Belgrade, Zvezdara, we perform a specialist examination that gives you a clear picture of the situation. The clinic is located at Živka Davidovića 96A/14, Zvezdara, Belgrade, in the East Side complex, next to the Aviv Park shopping center.