Why Consider Myofunctional Orthodontics for a Young Child — Even If the Dentist Says to Wait?
By Dr Mona Board, Biological Dentist
When parents bring their child to the dentist due to crooked adult front teeth, they’re often told to “wait until all the baby teeth are gone.” While this approach is common in traditional orthodontics, myofunctional orthodontics offers a proactive, preventive alternative focused on early intervention and habit correction. Here’s why some parents are choosing not to wait:
1. Early Treatment Targets the Root Causes of Crooked Teeth
Myofunctional orthodontics focuses on correcting poor oral habits that contribute to crooked teeth and poor jaw development, including:
- Mouth breathing
- Low tongue posture
- Incorrect swallowing
- Open-mouth posture
These issues can begin as early as age 3, long before all the permanent teeth have erupted. Addressing these early may reduce or prevent the severity of malocclusion later on (Myobrace® – Full Face Orthodontics, Preventive Orthodontic Treatment – Myobrace).
2. Encourages Natural Growth and Jaw Development
By guiding correct oral function during the child’s growth years, myofunctional therapy supports:
- Proper jaw development
- Adequate space for permanent teeth
- More balanced facial growth
Waiting until all baby teeth fall out may mean missing a critical window when the face and jaws are still developing rapidly (Myobrace® – Full Face Orthodontics, Preventive Orthodontic Treatment – Myobrace).
3. Supports Better Breathing and May Reduce Sleep Issues
Research increasingly links poor oral posture and mouth breathing to pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A 2024 systematic review found that oral myofunctional therapy can help treat or even prevent OSA in children by strengthening muscles that support the airway and promoting nasal breathing (A Systematic Review of Oral Myofunctional Therapy for Future Treatment in Pediatric OSA).
This has serious implications for health, as untreated OSA can contribute to:
- Learning difficulties
- Behavioral problems
- Growth delays
- Cardiovascular issues
4. Improves Function and Quality of Life
Beyond just alignment, myofunctional therapy enhances functional habits like chewing, swallowing, and breathing. This often leads to:
- Better speech development
- More effective eating
- Improved social confidence and emotional well-being
A study found that children with skeletal malocclusion who underwent myofunctional therapy reported significantly higher quality of life scores—feeling more confident, happier with their appearance, and more socially engaged (Quality of Life in Children with Skeletal Malocclusion after Myofunctional Therapy—Thieme Connect).
5. Backed by Research – With Realistic Expectations
A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that prefabricated myofunctional appliances (PMAs) were more effective than no treatment in improving:
- Overjet and overbite
- Mandibular crowding
- Canine relationship
However, PMAs were generally less effective than custom-made functional appliances in producing major skeletal or soft tissue changes (PubMed – What evidence exists for myofunctional therapy with prefabricated appliances?).
In other words, while not a replacement for all types of orthodontic care, early myofunctional therapy offers a low-risk, preventive step that may reduce the need for more invasive treatments later.
Conclusion
While traditional orthodontics often waits until all baby teeth are lost, myofunctional orthodontics focuses on early correction of harmful oral habits that affect jaw growth, breathing, and overall health. Backed by emerging research and positive outcomes, this proactive approach can:
- Encourage healthier development
- Prevent worsening orthodontic issues
- Improve a child’s confidence and well-being
For concerned parents, exploring myofunctional therapy now—rather than waiting—could be a key step toward supporting their child’s long-term health and development.
References
- 1.A Systematic Review of Oral Myofunctional Therapy for Future Treatment in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – Taylor & Francis Online, 2024
- 2.Myobrace® – Straight Teeth the Natural Way | Full Face Orthodontics
- 3.Preventive Orthodontic Treatment – Myobrace
- 4.Quality of Life in Children with Skeletal Malocclusion after Myofunctional Therapy—A Questionnaire Study – Thieme Connect
- 5.What Evidence Exists for Myofunctional Therapy with Prefabricated Appliances? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses of Randomised Trials – PubMed
To learn more about Dr Mona Board and her services, click here