What is growth modification?
Functional appliances are specialised orthodontic plates and devices which are custom-made for each patient’s needs. They work on the jaws, the jaw muscles and the teeth to correct the position of the jaws and bite. These appliances are worn full time in the mouth to produce the best results.
How does it work?
Functional appliances are used during a child’s growth spurts so that jaw growth can be modified to produce the bite correction required. Usually, the best ages for functional appliance treatment are 11 to 14 years when the patient is undergoing their initial pubertal growth spurt. In some instances, the juvenile growth spurt during the ages of 8-10 years can be utilised as part of Phase 1 or early treatment functional appliances.
After the functional appliance treatment, your child’s bite will be corrected however their teeth will not be in a stable position. Braces are hence performed after their functional appliance treatment to align and lock their teeth into the new bite.
Why Go Orthodontics?
Dr. Shaun Goh is a specialist with functional appliances. Your child may require different types or multiple phases of functional appliances in more severe bite problems and this will be discussed during your consult appointment. It is important to note that jaw growth is largely controlled by genetics so functional appliances can generate corrections up to a biological limit, after which orthognathic surgery and braces may be the only solution. Dr. Goh will discuss these options with you.
