Myobrace: Orthodontic Insurance Coverage?

Myobrace is a preventive pre-orthodontic treatment that focuses on addressing the underlying causes of crooked teeth and poor jaw development, often without the need for braces. It is designed for children aged 3-15 and is best used before children have all their permanent teeth. Myobrace treatment helps to straighten teeth, develop and align the jaws, and improve facial development. This is done by helping children breathe through their nose, rest their tongue at the top of their mouth, swallow correctly, and keep their lips closed. The removable appliance is worn for 1-2 hours a day and overnight, and children are asked to participate in Myobrace activities including breathing, tongue, swallowing, lip and cheek exercises that are performed twice a day to help them develop proper oral habits.

While Myobrace can be considered a form of orthodontics, it is important to note that not all dental insurance plans include coverage for orthodontic services. Whether or not Myobrace is covered by insurance will depend on the specific plan and its network of providers. Some plans may only cover braces for children, while others may have different age restrictions or limitations on the amount that can be spent per year on orthodontic services. Therefore, it is essential to carefully review the details of your dental insurance plan to determine if Myobrace is considered an eligible orthodontic treatment under your coverage.

Myobrace as a pre-orthodontic treatment

Myobrace is a pre-orthodontic treatment that addresses the underlying causes of crooked teeth and poor jaw development. It is designed for children aged 3 to 15 and is best used before children have all their permanent teeth.

The treatment helps to straighten teeth, develop and align the jaws, and improve facial development. It does this by helping children breathe through their nose, rest their tongue at the top of their mouth, swallow correctly, and keep their lips closed.

The removable appliance is worn for 1-2 hours a day and overnight, and children are asked to participate in Myobrace activities including breathing, tongue, swallowing, lip and cheek exercises that are performed twice a day to help them develop proper oral habits. With full compliance, excellent results can be achieved.

There are four stages of Myobrace treatment:

• Habit Correction: Teaching the patient to breathe through the nose and not the mouth, training the tongue to rest in a correct position, swallowing, and keeping the lips together. This enables the jaw to grow to the proper size and the teeth to come in straight.
• Arch Development: In some patients, the upper jaw requires enlargement to allow sufficient space for the teeth and tongue. The Myobrace System is used to help develop the jaw.
• Dental Alignment: When permanent teeth erupt, the Myobrace for Teens is used to help align teeth into their natural position. Depending on the child's requirements, final treatment may involve braces, but generally for a much shorter time than without Myobrace treatment.
• Retention: No fixed retainer is required as is often the case with braces. Myobrace treatment enables more stable orthodontic results and improved overall health.

Myobrace treatment can offer more than just straighter teeth, allowing children to reach their full genetic potential. It has been used by dentists and orthodontists in over 100 countries and has successfully treated millions of children worldwide.

Myobrace treatment stages

Myobrace is a no-braces orthodontic approach to straightening teeth and jaws. It addresses the poor oral habits that cause crooked teeth, such as mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, reverse swallowing, and thumb-sucking. The treatment is best suited to children between the ages of 3 and 15, and involves using a series of removable intraoral appliances that are worn for one to two hours each day, in addition to overnight while sleeping.

There are four stages of treatment that are usually completed in 18 months, on average:

Stage 1 - Habit Correction

The first stage of Myobrace treatment involves teaching the patient to breathe through the nose instead of the mouth, retraining the tongue to rest in the correct position, swallowing correctly, and keeping the lips together when not eating or speaking. By focusing on correcting these oral habits that are causing crooked teeth and poor jaw growth, the child will have the best possible chance to grow their jaws to their proper and full size, allowing the teeth to come in straight and often eliminating the need for braces later on.

Stage 2 - Arch Development

Along with habit correction, additional arch development may be required to widen the upper jaw, allowing sufficient space for the teeth and tongue. The Myobrace System is used to help develop the jaw. Children with underdeveloped jaws over seven years of age can be recommended to use appliances and techniques in combination with The Myobrace System, such as the Biobloc or The Farrell Bent Wire System.

Stage 3 - Dental Alignment

When the last of the permanent teeth are erupting, Myobrace for Teens is used to align the teeth into their natural position. Due to the nature of removable appliances, compliance is essential. The Myobrace appliances must be worn every day and overnight while sleeping. Depending on the child's individual requirements and compliance, final alignment may involve treatment with braces, but generally for a much shorter time than without Myobrace treatment.

Stage 4 - Retention

Retention is the final stage of Myobrace treatment and aims to ensure good oral habits are maintained, often preventing the need to wear a permanent retainer or wire for an extended period. Once braces are removed, a retainer is usually required to prevent relapse from occurring. With good compliance and the maintenance of correct oral habits, Myobrace treatment allows for more stable orthodontic results and improved overall health.

Myobrace vs braces

Myobrace is a no-braces treatment that focuses on straightening teeth and jaws. It is a preventive pre-orthodontic treatment that addresses the underlying causes of crooked teeth, such as poor myofunctional habits in children, including mouth breathing, incorrect tongue resting position, and incorrect swallowing. It involves the use of a series of removable intra-oral appliances that need to be worn for about 1 to 2 hours during the day and throughout the night. The treatment is ideal for children between 3 to 15 years old, as it helps correct their myofunctional habits to ensure the proper alignment of their teeth.

On the other hand, braces are a traditional orthodontic system commonly used by children, adolescents, or adults to straighten teeth and correct irregularities. They are highly effective in severe cases and are often recommended to prevent bigger issues in the future, such as crowded teeth, bite problems, and increased risk of tooth decay. While braces are effective, they are not considered aesthetically pleasing and can be bulky and embarrassing, especially for older adults. Additionally, braces can be expensive and may involve pain, soreness, and tooth extractions.

One of the main advantages of Myobrace over braces is that it is a preventive measure, particularly useful for young children, as it corrects issues before they appear. It is also more flexible and removable than braces, making it a more comfortable option. Myobrace also has positive knock-on effects on breathing patterns and facial and jaw muscle strengthening, contributing to overall improved health. However, for adults with existing dramatic dental issues, braces may be a more effective solution than Myobrace, which is more ideal for gentle straightening and improving mouth placement.

In terms of cost, Myobrace is generally a lower-cost option compared to braces, as it is a preventive measure that is often started at an early age, resulting in lower treatment costs. Braces, on the other hand, can be expensive, especially considering the long-term nature of the treatment and the potential need for tooth extractions.

In conclusion, Myobrace and braces are both effective options for straightening teeth and correcting irregularities. Myobrace is ideal for children as a preventive measure and offers the advantage of flexibility and positive health impacts. Braces, while highly effective for severe cases and adults, may be less aesthetically pleasing and more expensive. The best option depends on the specific needs and requirements of the individual.

Myobrace and insurance coverage

Myobrace is a preventive pre-orthodontic treatment that addresses the underlying causes of crooked teeth and poor jaw development. It is designed for children aged 3 to 15 and is most effective before all permanent teeth have come through. The treatment involves using a series of removable intraoral appliances that are worn for one to two hours each day, as well as overnight while sleeping. In addition, children are asked to participate in Myobrace activities, including breathing, tongue, swallowing, lip, and cheek exercises, to help develop proper oral habits.

The four stages of Myobrace treatment typically include habit correction, arch development, dental alignment, and retention. The first stage, habit correction, involves teaching patients to breathe through their nose, rest their tongue in the correct position, swallow correctly, and keep their lips together. This helps to ensure the jaw grows to its proper size and allows teeth to come in straight, often eliminating the need for braces later on.

While Myobrace can be an effective alternative to traditional braces, it is important to understand your insurance coverage when considering any orthodontic treatment. Not all dental insurance plans include coverage for orthodontic services, so it is crucial to carefully review your specific plan's materials. Full-coverage dental insurance plans often include orthodontic insurance, but there may be age restrictions, such as covering braces for children but not for adults. Additionally, some plans may have coverage limits or waiting periods for orthodontic treatments.

To increase your chances of insurance coverage for Myobrace, it is important to demonstrate that the treatment is medically necessary. This means showing that Myobrace prevents, diagnoses, or treats an injury, disease, or symptoms. For children under nineteen, there are more opportunities for health insurance to cover braces as the list of medically necessary orthodontic procedures is longer. Medicaid, for example, often includes dental benefits that cover orthodontic braces without requiring a medically necessary reason, although the specific benefits may vary by state.

Myobrace for adults

Myobrace is a preventive pre-orthodontic treatment that addresses the underlying causes of crooked teeth and poor jaw development, often without the need for braces or extraction of teeth. It is designed for children aged 3 to 15 and is best used before children have all their permanent teeth. The treatment helps to straighten teeth, develop and align the jaws, and improve facial development.

Myobrace can also be used by adults. However, it is important to note that in adults, where growth is complete, Myobrace treatment is unlikely to result in significant changes in facial development. Nevertheless, it can still be effective in correcting breathing and myofunctional disorders, improving nasal breathing, and achieving natural alignment of the teeth.

The Myobrace system consists of a series of removable intraoral appliances that are worn for one to two hours each day, in addition to overnight while sleeping. The treatment typically involves four stages: habit correction, arch development, dental alignment, and retention. During the habit correction stage, patients are taught to breathe through the nose, rest their tongue in the correct position, swallow correctly, and keep their lips together. The arch development stage focuses on widening the upper jaw to allow sufficient space for the teeth and tongue. The dental alignment stage aims to align the teeth into their natural position. Finally, the retention stage helps to maintain good oral habits and prevent relapse.

While Myobrace can be an effective treatment option for adults, it is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional to determine the most suitable treatment plan for your specific needs.

Frequently asked questions