Functional Appliances

Jaw disharmony can be an unsettling problem for both parent and child, especially if it has a negative psychosocial side to it. Functional appliances attempt to reposition the jaws in young patients.

Recent well-controlled research studies from the USA, UK, and the rest of the world have all demonstrated that early treatment with functional appliances is effective (i.e., it works!); however, it is not as efficient as a single phase of comprehensive orthodontic treatment when the patient is in permanent (Adult) dentition usually between 11-14 years of age.

Although the results from these well-controlled studies may be disappointing to the already anxious parent, it is worth noting that ALL studies concluded that early functional appliance treatment works. Simply put, if Dr. Arun recommends functional appliance treatment to your child, the bite correction will occur provided your child wears the appliance as instructed and that they grow during that time.