Functional orthodontics is the combination of using an orthodontic appliance and a number of exercises to help improve facial aesthetics, helps prevent further dental treatment in the future such as extractions, gives improved stability of the teeth in the long term, helps with normal bodily functions like breathing, swallowing and chewing.
It also helps prevent teeth from breaking in the future!
This is done by not only using an orthodontic appliance but with:
– Case selection
– Early intervention
– Patients input
– Dedicated Dental Team
– Motivation
– Therapeutic Goals
At SmileBox, we can help you or your child with your orthodontic needs using Functional Education.
Contact us today to find out more.
Unlocking the TMJ’s with the Posterior Inter-molar Foil
Provide Training for Correct Nasal Breathing
Repositioning the Tongue to its Correct Place
Providing a Lip Bumper to work on the Mentolabial Fold
Reshaping of the Dental Arch Form
Control Midlines and Guide the Eruption of Permanent Teeth
Functional Education aims to balance the lips, cheeks and tongue, correct the breathing and swallowing technique.
Here are 4 common orthodontic problems EF can fix/prevent
Overcrowding is a common teeth misalignment which occurs due to lack of space in the oral cavity for the teeth. This makes the teeth grow to be crooked and/or overlap with each other. This creates an overcrowded atmosphere in the mouth and can lead to poor oral hygiene due to the inability to clean the teeth efficiently.
Fun Dental Fact: Crowding doesn’t happen because our teeth are too big for our jaws, it’s because our jaws are too small for our teeth.
It is normal to have a slight overlap between the upper and lower front teeth. However, in a deep overbite, the upper jaw has a large overlap that causes the upper teeth to bite down on the gums of the bottom teeth. This usually occurs when someone has a weak chin that affects the shape of their face and jaw. Deep overbites can lead to clenching and grinding of the teeth, which can cause discomfort and headaches.
This is where there is spacing (gaps) present between the teeth. These spaces usually appear between the two upper or lower front teeth – this is known as a Diastema. A diastema usually happens due to reasons such as:
A diastema isn’t seen as a ‘dental problem’ they are usually harmless and need no correction. Some people see a diastema as a characteristic that adds personality to their smile, like Madonna for example.
However, with dental spacing, we usually hear complaints of food becoming stuck in between the teeth, or in some cases, people don’t like the aesthetics of spacing or diastema. In that case, orthodontic treatment can be done to correct this.
This is when the upper teeth bite down on the insides of the lower teeth, this can also be known as a negative overjet. Common dental complaints we hear that relate to a crossbite are “my chin protrudes out”, “my front teeth bite on each other” or “I can’t bite on my back teeth properly”.
A crossbite can happen on either side of the jaw and it affects both the front and back teeth. Crossbites usually occur due to a dental or skeletal problem, or both. These can be caused by habits, bone structure, airway issues, or genetics. Untreated crossbites can affect more than just the teeth, they can cause issues in the jaw. It makes the jaw muscles work at an uneven rate, which causes temporomandibular joint disorder, it can cause headaches and pain in the jaw, neck, or shoulders.
Functional Education can start from the age of 3.
EF Line is a range of orthodontic appliances that can be used at varying stages of dental growth.
The main purpose is to intercept dysfunctions at an early stage and correct them using a removable orthodontic appliance alongside muscle and breathing exercises.
EF Packages start at 25,000 THB.
This includes a full examination, panoramic x-ray, cephalogram x-ray, hand-wrist x-ray, 2 EF Line Appliances, treatment including- sealants, PRR, LCCF, serial extraction, fluoride varnish, and 1 year of follow up care instructions and support.
Any additional EF appliances would be 5,000 THB per appliance.
EF Line is manufactured in France and Approved by an Independent Laboratory. It is made without:
– Phthalates Bisphenol A
– Alimentary Raw Material
There is a mint aroma to the EF Line orthodontic appliance.
EF improves symptoms of allergies as it corrects the breathing technique from nasal to mouth breathing.
The tongue position changes from filling the oral cavity to resting behind the lower teeth, this allows air to enter the mouth properly.
For the best results, it’s important to wear the EF orthodontic appliance for 2 hours during the day.
However, this can be split into two separate hours. For example it could be worn for 1 hour watching television and 1 hour commuting to work/school.
The appliance also must be worn during the night, so once the teeth have been brushed you would insert the appliance and sleep in them. This is a vital period for your orthodontic treatment, as it is during this time when the growth of the teeth occurs the most.
If the second molar is already erupted and fully formed then growth modification is difficult to do. EF Line would not work.
However, EF can still be used with orthodontic treatment in adults for joint position modification. But not for growth modification.
We use the EF Line selection guide to help determine which appliance is best suited to you or your child’s orthodontic needs.
We need to determine the biological age of the bones to understand the eruption cycle of the teeth. We can do this by taking a radiograph of the hand and wrist. This radiograph is an effective tool to assess biological age.
Clear aligners are a type of orthodontic treatment that uses transparent, removable trays to gradually straighten teeth. They are a discreet alternative to traditional braces.
Clear aligners work by applying controlled and gentle pressure on specific teeth, gradually moving them into their desired positions over time.
MOOV Clear aligners are effective for a wide range of orthodontic issues, including crowded teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. However, severe cases may still require traditional braces.
Clear aligners should be worn for at least 20-22 hours a day, removing them only for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene routines.
Clear aligners should be worn for at least 20-22 hours a day, removing them only for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene routines.
Clear aligners should be worn for at least 20-22 hours a day, removing them only for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene routines.
Clear aligners should be worn for at least 20-22 hours a day, removing them only for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene routines.
Clear aligners should be worn for at least 20-22 hours a day, removing them only for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene routines.
Clear aligners should be worn for at least 20-22 hours a day, removing them only for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene routines.
Clear aligners should be worn for at least 20-22 hours a day, removing them only for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene routines.