Research on the causes of crooked teeth
There has been extensive research on the causes of crooked teeth, the benefits of early interceptive treatment, the positive effects of correcting muscle function and the effectiveness of Myofunctional Orthodontic treatment methods using Myobrace appliances by Myofunctional Research Co. (MRC). Research has proven that crowded teeth, incorrect jaw development and other orthodontic problems are not caused by big teeth in small jaws or other hereditary factors. Mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, reverse swallowing and thumb sucking (known as incorrect myofunctional habits) are the real causes.
Many of these articles refer to the Pre-Orthodontic Trainer (POT™), Trainer for Kids™ (T4K™), Trainer for Alignment™ (T4A™), and other appliances in the Trainer System™. All of these appliances were designed by MRC, (the creator of the Myobrace), and are now categorised as Myobrace appliances.
Some of the key published research regarding Myofunctional Orthodontics and treatment methods used by Myobrace are listed below:
3 out of 4 children have a malocclusion
These articles studied samples of Italian secondary school students and Columbian children and adolescents, and found that greater than 75% of these sample populations displayed some form of malocclusion (orthodontic concern).
The merit of early orthodontic treatment
These articles feature clinical studies involving children, and show that early and interceptive treatment using MRC's appliances is beneficial. Early treatment while the patient is still developing can assist in improving the habits that cause the crooked teeth, improve facial development, and lessen the need for more intensive orthodontic treatment when the patient is older.
American Journal of Orthodontics Dentofacial Orthopedics. 2008 Feb;133(2)
Mondo Ortodontico_February 2002
Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, Volume 31, No 4, 2007
Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, Volume 32, No 4, 2008
Treating the causes of crooked teeth using appliances developed by MRC (creators of Myobrace)
These articles list the lip muscles, mouth breathing and childhood habits (thumb or finger sucking and pacifier use) as influential to the development of the jaws and arches in growing children. The use of MRC's appliances was shown to improve muscle function (Uysal, Yagci, Kara and Okkesim), and assist in the improvement of tooth crowding and jaw alignment (Kanao, Mashiko and Kanao).
Japanese Journal of Clinical Dentistry for Children, Volume 14, No4, April 2009
European Journal of Orthodontics,_January 2011
The limitations of Orthodontics
These articles outline a few of the common misconceptions surrounding traditional orthodontics.