Myofunctional Appliance for my 11mm Overjet?

[Jemma35]

Hello everyone

What a great forum this is and I've read some inspiring stories so well done all of you and it's great to know we're in this together :-)

Ok here's my story. I mightn't be the best in ortho terms but I was told I'm a Class II patient (skeletal II base comes to mind) with an overbite and 11mm overjet.

After getting several consultations they all told me I'd need braces then lower jaw surgery (mandibular advancement osteotomy)

Ouch!! Now being honest I don't think I want to go for Surgery and I got another consultation and was told I could get a Myofunctional Appliance and it would bring my jaw forward.

I have to admit I was abit skeptical and asked how does this work? Answer - it works with the muscles and will bring your lower jaw forward. Still not convinced really and as I'm 35 years old would this type of appliance actually work or has anyone any success with one?

It sounds great but does it work is the question?

Jemma

[BracesB4Thirty]

Have you gotten the appliance in yet? I'd say trust your ortho, that everything they want to do is for your best interest.

[sirwired]

In children, the use of "functional appliances" is well-established; they go by names such as the twin-force bite corrector, twin-block, forsus, and herbst. They are effective, inexpensive compared to surgery, and fairly well-understood.

In adults, their use is controversial. In some patients they work, and work well. In others, they are an utter failure; either not achieving the desired result at all, or relapsing within a few years after removal. I have not yet seen laid out, by any appliance manufacturer or study, on how to tell which is which.

Before getting fitted with a functional appliance, I'd ask the orthodontist what his/her criteria are for deciding if a deformity is too much for an appliance (preferably backed by studies he/she is using as a guideline) and how close you are to it. Also run away if the doctor is not an actual board-certified orthodontist.

[Jemma35]

No I haven't got the appliance in yet and not even sure what type it is - I was just told it's a functional appliance and when I rang and asked what the name of it was they couldn't tell me and just said the ortho has worn it herself and it helped her overjet.

After doing some research the claims are more towards young children and I'm leaning now more skeptical as to whether it would be a success for adults.

[ransombt]

I was told everytime I went to an Orthodontist (3 times) as an adult that I would have to have jaw surgery to fix my overjet (10 mm). At 49 years of age I went to a Orthodontist for TMJ and he told me he could not only fix my TMJ but also my overjet (also had overbite) with a Schwartz appliance. 9 months after having the appliance my overbite is completely gone and we are finishing up with my overjet with braces for 9 months. Also my TMJ is almost 100% gone. Everything I read said it would not work on adults but it worked GREAT on me.

[supurge]

I have always been told that i would need surgery to advance my lower jaw. My gap isn't terribly big, it's around 7mm I think, but still enough to give me terrible TMJ issues, grinding, locked jaw and everything else that can happen. I must admit I was very sceptical with the twin block initially, and i have only been wearing it for a month or so, but the difference in my joint is amazing. It feels like it's unlocked for the first time in years, and even though my bite feels very off at the moment, my joints are loads happier.

Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean that the treatment will have longterm lasting effects, only time can tell that, but i think in cases where it's more of a muscle issue, twin blocks seem like they might work, in conjunction with braces etc.