Myofunctional therapy and early orthodontics in Winchester
While a child is growing, habits like mouth breathing and where the tongue rests affect the teeth and the jaw. Myofunctional therapy works on those habits, and early orthodontics holds or makes space for the adult teeth. Both are offered here, and adults have options too.
Early orthodontic evaluations
The bite, the spacing and the habits, looked at together.
Aligners when the adult teeth are in
Invisalign, ClearCorrect, SureSmile or the practice’s in-house aligners.
Your family’s own practice
Evaluated by the dentists who already see your family, in one office.
Does mouth breathing affect teeth?
It’s one of the things a dentist looks at in a growing child. The tongue, lips and cheeks all press on the teeth, and breathing through the mouth changes where the tongue rests. So does a long thumb-sucking or pacifier habit. None of it is a diagnosis on its own; it’s what an evaluation looks at, alongside how the adult teeth are coming in.
Myofunctional means to do with the muscles of the mouth and face, and myofunctional therapy is exercises and habit training for the tongue, lips and breathing. Early orthodontics, also called phase 1 or interceptive orthodontics, starts while a child still has some baby teeth and works on space for the adult teeth.
Myofunctional therapy, early orthodontics or aligners?
They do different jobs at different ages, and a child might need one, more than one, or none.
Myofunctional therapy, early orthodontics and clear aligners, compared
- What it is
- Myofunctional therapy Exercises and habit training for the tongue, lips and breathing
- Early orthodontics (phase 1) Appliances such as space maintainers and palate expanders
- Clear aligners A series of clear, removable trays
- What it works on
- Myofunctional therapy The habits: where the tongue rests, lip seal, breathing through the nose
- Early orthodontics (phase 1) Space: holding a gap open for an adult tooth, or widening the upper jaw
- Clear aligners The teeth themselves, moved a little at a time
- Who it’s for
- Myofunctional therapy Mainly growing children
- Early orthodontics (phase 1) Children who still have some baby teeth
- Clear aligners Mostly teenagers and adults, once enough adult teeth are in
- What it asks of you
- Myofunctional therapy Practising the exercises at home
- Early orthodontics (phase 1) Wearing an appliance the dentist fits
- Clear aligners Wearing the trays most of the day, changed on a schedule
- Offered here as
- Myofunctional therapy Myofunctional therapy
- Early orthodontics (phase 1) Early orthodontic evaluations and treatment
- Clear aligners Invisalign, ClearCorrect, SureSmile or in-house
Straightening teeth as an adult
Myofunctional therapy and early orthodontics are mainly for growing children. Adult teeth can still be moved, and clear aligners are the usual way here. If the concern is snoring or sleep apnea, the practice offers oral appliances for that, made and fitted here.
When to bring your child in
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a child’s first orthodontic check-up by age 7.
An early orthodontic evaluation is offered here, in the same office as the rest of your child’s care. We look at how your child’s teeth are coming in and tell you whether anything needs doing now, later, or at all.
Decherd · 5 min 
Cowan · 10 min 
Estill Springs · 10 min 
Huntland · 15 min 
Belvidere · 15 min 
Tullahoma · 20 min 
Sewanee · 20 min 
Monteagle · 25 min 
Lynchburg · 25 min 
Manchester · 25 min
Questions parents ask
Is phase 1 necessary?
It depends on the child, and the evaluation is what decides it. For some children an appliance is recommended while baby teeth are still in; for many, the advice is to wait, or nothing is needed at all.
What age should a child be seen?
For checkups, children are seen from newborns as needed. For orthodontics, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first check-up by age 7.
Is myofunctional therapy only for kids?
It’s offered mainly to children, while they’re still growing. If you’re an adult, ask at a visit whether it suits you.
Does myofunctional therapy work?
It depends on the child and on the habit it’s meant to change. Whether it suits your child is decided at an exam, and you’ll hear what it involves before anything starts.
Are you an orthodontist?
No. The dentists here are general dentists who offer early orthodontic evaluations, early orthodontic treatment and clear aligners. If your child needs care beyond those, you’ll be told at the evaluation and pointed to an orthodontist.
Do you take insurance?
Orthodontic treatment often falls under a plan’s orthodontic cover rather than general dental. We file with most major insurance plans, though we are not in network with all of them. If we are not in network with yours, we will still file with it as long as the plan allows out-of-network coverage. Not sure about yours? Call the office with the name of your plan.
Patient information