Emad Deen Orthodontics Specialist Orthodontist · Malta
Emad Deen Orthodontics
Book a consultation
+356 9938 5673 info@deenorthodontics.com

Treatments · 06 of 08

Functional
appliances

A brace designed to alter and modify the growth of the jaws and the position of the teeth. Used while a child is still growing.

A functional appliance used to modify jaw growth

What it is

Myofunctional therapy is treatment that modifies the musculature surrounding the jaws and teeth in order to correct orthodontic problems. Dentofacial orthopaedics is the part of the orthodontic specialty concerned with the growth and development of the face and jaws.

Because they work with growth, these appliances are used mainly in children and teenagers. Timing matters, which is why an early assessment is worthwhile even when no treatment is needed yet.

Who it is for
Growing children and teenagers.
Most common type
The Twin Block appliance.
Removable
Typically yes — but it must be worn as instructed to work.
Often followed by
A course of fixed braces to finish the detail.

Why patients choose it

01Muscle functionMyofunctional appliances aim to correct abnormal oral muscle patterns — tongue thrusting, improper swallowing and mouth breathing.
02Wider health benefitsImproving oral and facial muscle function can have positive effects on breathing, speech and facial development.
03Underlying causesRather than only repositioning teeth, they address the habits and muscle patterns that caused the malocclusion.
04The Twin BlockThe most widely used design. It positions the lower jaw forward and holds the upper teeth back, reducing severe dental protrusion that braces alone cannot.

Would this suit your case?

Book a consultation and you will be told whether this appliance genuinely applies, what the alternatives are, and roughly how long treatment takes.

Book a consultation

All eight treatments

B.D.S. 2010FDS Glasgow 2012M.Orth. R.C.S. EdinburghM.Orth. R.C.P.S. GlasgowM.Sc. OrthodonticsF.D.S. R.C.S. Edinburgh 2020Ph.D. 2022M.Sc. Lingual Orthodontics 2025M.Sc. Aligner Orthodontics 2025M.Sc. Orofacial Pain and TMD 2026Lecturer in Orthodontics University of Malta9 peer-reviewed papersFive stars on Google
Live — WhatsApp Now