Myobrace Treatment in Penrith

Early orthodontic treatment for children

Myobrace is a removable orthodontic appliance system designed for growing children. Treatment focuses on oral habits and muscle function that may influence dental development, including tongue posture, swallowing, lip seal and breathing patterns.

At Best Western Dental Centre, Myobrace may be used as part of an individual early orthodontic treatment plan. Depending on the child’s teeth, bite and stage of development, it may be used alone or together with another orthodontic appliance.

Myobrace treatment does not replace braces in every case. Some children may still require braces or clear aligners later to achieve more precise tooth alignment and bite correction.

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What is Myobrace?

Myobrace appliances are removable and generally made from a soft, flexible material. Different appliances are available according to the child’s age, dental development and treatment requirements.

Treatment usually combines:

• Wearing the prescribed Myobrace appliance

• Activities to encourage appropriate tongue posture

• Training for correct swallowing

• Encouraging comfortable lip closure

• Supporting nasal breathing where possible

• Regular dental and orthodontic reviews

The appliance and activities work together. Wearing the appliance without completing the prescribed activities may limit the treatment response.

What concerns may Myobrace help address?

Following an individual assessment, Myobrace may be considered for children with concerns such as:

• Crowded or developing crooked teeth

• Mouth-open posture

• Low or forward tongue posture

• Tongue thrust when swallowing

• Difficulty maintaining a comfortable lip seal

• Certain thumb, finger or dummy habits

• Early bite concerns

• Relapse-producing oral habits

• Developing narrow dental arches

• Poor oral muscle patterns that may affect dental development

Not every child with these concerns will be suitable for Myobrace. An examination is needed to identify the likely causes and determine whether another appliance, additional therapy or medical assessment may be required.

How does Myobrace treatment work?

Myobrace treatment aims to improve the environment in which the teeth and dental arches are developing.

The tongue normally rests gently against the palate, the lips remain comfortably together, and breathing occurs through the nose when the airway is clear. Persistent mouth breathing, tongue thrusting or low tongue posture may influence the position of the teeth and the development of the dental arches.

The Myobrace appliance is intended to support improved oral posture while prescribed activities help the child practise new muscle patterns.

Changes occur gradually and vary between children. Treatment cannot guarantee that all teeth will erupt straight or that braces will be avoided.

How often is Myobrace worn?

The prescribed wearing schedule depends on the appliance and the child’s treatment plan. It commonly involves wearing the appliance for a period during the day and while sleeping.

The child may also be asked to complete short daily activities.

Successful treatment requires consistent:

• Appliance wear

• Completion of the prescribed activities

• Attendance at review appointments

• Care and cleaning of the appliance

• Support and encouragement from a parent or carer

A removable appliance only works while it is being worn. Irregular wear, losing the appliance or not completing the activities can reduce progress and prolong treatment.

What happens during the Myobrace activities?

The activities are selected according to the child’s needs and may focus on:

• Resting the tongue against the palate

• Correct placement of the tongue tip

• Swallowing without pushing the tongue forward

• Keeping the lips together without strain

• Breathing through the nose when comfortable

• Improving awareness and control of the oral muscles

The activities should be performed as instructed. The number and type of exercises may change as treatment progresses.

Some children may also benefit from assessment by another healthcare practitioner, such as an ear, nose and throat specialist, speech pathologist, orofacial myologist or other appropriately qualified provider.

Myobrace and mouth breathing

Mouth breathing can have several possible causes. These may include nasal congestion, allergies, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, habitual mouth-open posture, or other airway concerns.

Myobrace may help some children improve oral posture and nasal-breathing habits when the nasal airway is clear. However, the appliance cannot remove a physical airway obstruction or treat every cause of mouth breathing.

If a child has persistent nasal obstruction, loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, restless sleep or significant daytime tiredness, medical assessment may be recommended. Myobrace is not a treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea.

Myobrace and tongue-tie

A restrictive tongue-tie may affect tongue movement or make it more difficult for some children to achieve an appropriate resting tongue position.

However, the presence of a lingual frenum does not automatically mean that surgical treatment is needed. Tongue movement and function must be assessed individually.

When both Myobrace treatment and tongue-tie release are being considered, Dr Nathan Le will discuss the appropriate sequence of exercises, appliance use and any proposed procedure. Additional therapy may be recommended when appropriate.

Myobrace and early orthodontic treatment

Dr Le generally prefers to preserve healthy teeth and support dental arch development where this can be achieved safely and predictably.

For some children, Myobrace may form part of early or Phase 1 orthodontic treatment. In other cases, a different orthodontic appliance may provide better control of arch development, crossbite correction or jaw relationships.

Possible treatment options include:

• Myobrace

• A removable expansion appliance

• A functional appliance

• An ALF appliance

• Partial or comprehensive braces

• A combination of treatments

The recommended option depends on the child’s age, cooperation, dental development, available space, bite and treatment objectives.

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Will Myobrace prevent the need for braces?

Myobrace may improve oral habits, dental development or early alignment in suitable children. However, it cannot guarantee that braces will not be required.

The need for later orthodontic treatment depends on factors such as:

• The original orthodontic problem

• Tooth and jaw development

• The position and size of the permanent teeth

• Growth

• Appliance wear and cooperation

• The treatment objectives

• Individual biological response

Some children may require braces after Myobrace treatment to complete tooth alignment and refine the bite. When this is anticipated, Myobrace can still be a useful first stage of treatment.

When should a child be assessed?

An early orthodontic assessment may be helpful when parents notice:

• Crowded or overlapping teeth

• An underbite, crossbite or significant overbite

• Early or late loss of baby teeth

• Difficulty biting or chewing

• Persistent thumb or finger sucking

• Mouth-open posture or habitual mouth breathing

• Teeth erupting in an unusual position

• A lower jaw that appears significantly forward or backward

• Concern about tongue posture or swallowing

Treatment does not necessarily begin immediately after assessment. In some cases, monitoring dental development is the most appropriate approach.

The Myobrace treatment process

1. Initial orthodontic consultation

Best Western Dental Centre offers one free initial orthodontic consultation per person for children from six years of age.

A suitable OPG taken within the previous six months is required. If one is not available, an OPG can be arranged at our practice and the applicable fee will be explained when booking.

Children younger than six may still be assessed when there is a specific concern, but the usual consultation fee may apply.

2. Assessment and records

Depending on the child’s needs, assessment may include:

• Examination of the teeth and bite

• Assessment of dental development

• Observation of tongue posture, swallowing and lip function

• Discussion of breathing and oral habits

• Clinical photographs

• Digital scans or dental impressions

• Appropriate radiographs

3. Treatment recommendation

Dr Le will explain whether Myobrace is suitable or whether monitoring, another orthodontic appliance or referral would be more appropriate.

The treatment objectives, limitations, expected cooperation, estimated duration and fees will be discussed before treatment begins.

4. Appliance issue and activities

The appliance is fitted and instructions are provided about wear, cleaning, storage and daily activities.

A parent or carer should supervise younger children and help establish a consistent routine.

5. Review appointments

Regular reviews are needed to assess appliance fit, cooperation, oral habits, dental development and progress.

The appliance or activities may be changed as the child grows or progresses through treatment.

How long does treatment take?

Treatment length varies according to the child’s age, dental development, original concerns, cooperation and response.

Because Myobrace treatment often occurs while the teeth and jaws are developing, it may continue through different stages. An estimated timeframe will be discussed after assessment, but it may change according to progress.

Caring for a Myobrace appliance

Children should:

• Rinse the appliance after use

• Clean it according to the instructions provided

• Store it in its protective container

• Keep it away from pets and excessive heat

• Avoid chewing or deliberately stretching it

• Bring it to every review appointment

• Contact the practice if it is damaged, uncomfortable or lost

Replacement charges may apply if an appliance is lost or damaged.

About Dr Nathan Le

Dr Nathan Le completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the University of Sydney in 1999. He is a general dentist with a clinical interest in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopaedics.

Dr Le provides Myobrace treatment, functional and arch-development appliances, fixed braces and clear aligner treatment.

He is not a registered specialist orthodontist. If specialist orthodontic, airway or surgical assessment would benefit a child, an appropriate referral can be discussed.

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Frequently asked questions

What age is best for Myobrace?

Myobrace is generally used while a child is growing and the teeth are developing. There is no single ideal age for every child. Suitability depends on dental development, the orthodontic concern and the child’s ability to cooperate with appliance wear and activities.

Can my child wear Myobrace only at night?

The prescribed schedule commonly includes both daytime and overnight wear. Wearing the appliance only at night may not provide the intended treatment response unless specifically advised by Dr Le.

Does Myobrace straighten teeth?

Myobrace may assist early dental alignment and development in suitable children, but it is not intended to provide every detailed tooth movement achievable with braces or clear aligners.

Is Myobrace suitable for mouth breathing?

It may support improved lip posture and nasal-breathing habits when the nasal airway is clear. Persistent obstruction, snoring or sleep-related breathing concerns may require medical assessment.

Will my child still need braces?

Possibly. Some children may not require braces, while others need braces or clear aligners later to complete alignment and bite correction. This cannot be predicted with certainty at the beginning of every case.

Request a Myobrace consultation in Penrith

Contact Best Western Dental Centre if you are concerned about your child’s teeth, bite, oral habits or dental development.

Best Western Dental Centre
95 Oxford Street
Cambridge Park, Penrith NSW 2747
Telephone: (02) 4731 4655

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The information on this page is general and does not replace an individual clinical or medical assessment. Treatment suitability, duration and outcomes vary between children.

Page reviewed by Dr Nathan Le, BDS (University of Sydney), August 2026.