What is Myobrace?

Myobrace is a preventive treatment for children, usually between the ages of 3 and 15, while the face and jaws are still growing and developing. Instead of waiting until the teeth become crowded and then focusing only on straightening them, Myobrace aims to address some of the underlying causes. These may include mouth breathing, incorrect tongue position, poor swallowing habits, and other muscle habits that can affect the way the jaws develop and how the teeth come into position. By improving these habits during a child's growth, Myobrace is designed to support healthier jaw development, better breathing patterns, and more natural alignment of the teeth.

Treatment combines a series of removable oral appliances, usually worn for one to two hours during the day and overnight while sleeping, with simple daily exercises that help improve tongue position, lip function, swallowing, and breathing habits. At Vilafortuny, treatment is led by Dr. Fadi Antar, with a strong focus on airway health. This means that breathing, sleep, jaw growth, and facial development are assessed together as part of the child's overall treatment, rather than looking only at the teeth.

How it works

The appliance and exercise programme teach children to breathe through the nose, rest the tongue in the correct position, swallow properly and keep the lips together - allowing the jaws to develop to their full, natural potential.

Why it matters

Correcting these habits early can improve breathing and sleep quality, support healthy facial growth, and reduce or even eliminate the need for braces and tooth extractions later in life.

Signs your child may benefit

Breathing, sleep, tongue and oral-function problems can sometimes appear long before crowded or crooked teeth become obvious. If you notice one or more of the following signs, an early assessment may be worthwhile.

Mouth breathing or open lipsBreathing through the mouth during the day or while sleeping, difficulty breathing comfortably through the nose, or frequently keeping the lips apart when relaxed.
Snoring or disturbed sleepRegular snoring, noisy breathing, restless sleep, teeth grinding, frequent waking, unusual sleeping positions, or waking tired despite a full night's sleep.
Daytime tiredness, hyperactivity or concentration problemsBeing unusually tired during the day, falling asleep in class, difficulty concentrating, a short attention span, irritability, mood changes, or hyperactivity. Poor-quality sleep in children can affect attention, behaviour, learning and daytime energy.
Frequent throat, tonsil or ear problemsRepeated throat or tonsil infections, frequent ear infections, persistent nasal blockage, or recurring congestion - particularly when these occur together with mouth breathing, snoring or disturbed sleep.
Crowded teeth or changes in jaw developmentCrowded or crooked teeth, a narrow jaw, not enough room for the adult teeth, or noticeable changes in the way the jaws and face are growing.
Tongue, swallowing, speech or oral habitsThe tongue resting low or pushing forward when swallowing, difficulty swallowing correctly, a lisp or other speech difficulties, prolonged thumb or dummy sucking, or a forward head posture.

Also watch for: low energy during the day, avoiding physical activity, or becoming unusually tired or short of breath during sports compared with children of a similar age. These signs deserve further assessment, as they can have several possible causes.

Early assessment does not necessarily mean that your child will need treatment. It gives us the opportunity to look at your child's breathing, sleep, tongue and muscle function, jaw growth, and developing teeth together, and to determine whether any early support or treatment may be beneficial.

Book a Myobrace assessment

Early assessment gives your child the best chance of natural, healthy development. Book a consultation with Dr Fadi Antar at Vilafortuny Medical Centre, Jumeirah 3, Dubai.

Book an Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is best to start Myobrace treatment?

Myobrace is generally designed for children between the ages of 3 and 15, while the face and jaws are still growing and developing. Starting early gives us the opportunity to identify and address poor breathing, tongue, swallowing, and oral habits before they become more established. However, the right time to begin treatment is different for every child, which is why an early assessment is recommended. Myobrace describes the system as best suited to children aged 3–15.

Does my child have to wear the appliance all day?

No. The Myobrace appliance is removable and is usually worn for one to two hours during the day and overnight while sleeping. This means it does not normally interfere with school, sports, or meals. Consistency is very important, however. The appliance needs to be worn as prescribed, together with the recommended exercises, to achieve the best possible result.

Can Myobrace reduce or eliminate the need for braces later?

That is one of the aims of early Myobrace treatment. By addressing poor oral habits and supporting jaw development while a child is still growing, Myobrace may eliminate the need for braces in some children or reduce the amount of orthodontic treatment required later. However, every child is different, and some children may still need braces or another form of orthodontic treatment to achieve the best final result.

The outcome depends on factors such as the child’s age, growth and development, the type and severity of the problem, and how consistently the treatment programme is followed. Myobrace states that its approach often aims to achieve improvement without braces or extractions, while acknowledging that braces may still be required depending on individual needs and cooperation.

Is Myobrace treatment painful or invasive?

Myobrace is a removable treatment and does not involve fixed brackets, wires, or regular tightening. When children first begin wearing an appliance, they may feel some pressure, notice increased saliva, or simply need some time to become comfortable with having an appliance in their mouth.

The fit and comfort of the appliance are checked throughout treatment, and the appliance should never be forced into position or continue to be worn if it is causing unusual pain or discomfort.

How long does Myobrace treatment take?

Treatment time varies from child to child. It depends on the child’s age and growth, the type of problem being treated, how the teeth and jaws develop, and how consistently the appliance and exercises are used.
Myobrace treatment usually progresses through different stages and appliances. We regularly review your child’s progress and move to the next stage when they are ready, rather than following exactly the same timetable for every child. The Myobrace system itself uses different appliances according to the child’s age and orthodontic needs, with treatment success depending significantly on cooperation.

Are the exercises really important?

Treatment time varies from child to child. It depends on the child’s age and growth, the type of problem being treated, how the teeth and jaws develop, and how consistently the appliance and exercises are used.
Myobrace treatment usually progresses through different stages and appliances. We regularly review your child’s progress and move to the next stage when they are ready, rather than following exactly the same timetable for every child. The Myobrace system itself uses different appliances according to the child’s age and orthodontic needs, with treatment success depending significantly on cooperation.

What if my child mouth-breathes, snores, or has disturbed sleep?

These are important signs and should not be ignored. During your child’s assessment, we look at breathing and sleep together with tongue and muscle function, jaw growth, facial development, and the developing teeth.
If we identify signs that may suggest persistent nasal blockage, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or a possible sleep-related breathing problem, we may recommend further assessment by an ENT specialist, paediatrician, sleep physician, or another appropriate healthcare professional.
Myobrace treatment does not replace medical investigation or treatment when an underlying breathing or sleep condition is suspected. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends screening children for sleep-related breathing disorders and appropriate medical referral when a child is considered at risk.