- reception@myokidsdental.co.uk
- 40 High St Weybridge Surrey KT13 8AB
MyoKids Dental in Weybridge offers functional appliances to help guide jaw growth and support a healthier foundation for future orthodontic treatment.
Functional appliances are used during a child’s growth phase to improve how the upper and lower jaws meet when bite problems are linked to growth.
At MyoKids Dental in Surrey, dentists like Dr Marshall and Dr Kalia may recommend functional appliances before fixed braces or clear aligners to support jaw development, correct bite issues, and improve facial balance as part of a broader orthopaedic and orthodontic treatment plan.
With an entire floor dedicated to children’s dentistry and orthodontics, parents choose MyoKids because we assess jaw growth, bite development, facial balance, oral habits and long-term orthodontic needs before recommending the right appliance or treatment pathway.
Functional appliances are an early Phase 1 treatment, typically followed later by fixed braces, that use natural forces from the facial and chewing muscles to encourage healthier jaw growth, bite development, and tooth alignment.
Often recommended for children with developing overbites or protruding upper teeth, removable functional appliances help guide jaw growth in growing children and are removed for eating, brushing and sport. Wear time depends on your child’s treatment plan.
Typically recommended for children who need reliable, consistent treatment, fixed functional appliances are attached to the teeth and work continuously to guide bite correction. Because they are fixed in place, they work continuously and are useful when compliance may be difficult.
As one of the most commonly used functional appliances for children with a developing overbite or lower jaw that sits too far back, twin block appliances use upper and lower removable appliances that work together to guide the lower jaw into a better position.
Functional appliances are orthodontic devices that guide jaw growth and improve bite relationships, usually recommended while children are still growing. They can either be removable or fixed depending on the case.
Unlike braces, which focus on moving teeth, functional appliances focus on how the jaws meet, encouraging better jaw position rather than correcting misalignment alone.
Treatment often takes about 6-12 months, depending on your child’s age, bite, and how consistently they wear the appliance. Some children need shorter phases before braces, while others may benefit from longer treatment plans if their bite is more complex. During your child’s orthodontic consultation, we will explain the likely treatment time.
Functional appliance treatment should not be painful, but children may feel pressure or tightness when they first start wearing the appliance and as they get used to it. Speech may feel different at first, and eating may need some adjustment depending on the appliance.
Wear time depends on the appliance type and your child’s treatment plan. Some removable appliances are worn most of the day and night; others are worn mainly at night. Fixed appliances stay in the mouth and work continuously.
Treatment costs depend on your child’s bite and assessment findings; however, parents can expect costs to start at £600, with an orthodontic consultation costing £80. Flexible finance is available up to 60 months, with 12 months being interest-free.
Principal Dentist Dr Michael Marshall has over a decade of experience providing orthodontic and dento-facial orthopaedic care for children and teens at MyoKids Dental in Weybridge.
With extensive experience straightening smiles and guiding jaw growth with Myobrace, functional appliances, fixed braces, and clear aligners, he focuses on more than tooth position alone, supporting facial development, habits, and long-term orthodontic needs.
MyoKids Dental serves local families near Weybridge, Addlestone, Byfleet, Chertsey, Cobham, Esher, Walton-on-Thames, Molesey, Shepperton, Woking and surrounding Surrey areas.
We’re located on Weybridge High Street: 40 High Street, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 8AB.
Free parking is available on the High Street and nearby at Waitrose and Morrisons.
Open Mon-Fri (8 am – 5 pm / 8 pm on Mon). Saturdays (9 am – 1 pm).
Dentists
Reviews
Functional appliances are usually used while children are still growing. Suitability depends on your child’s age, growth stage, bite and orthodontic needs.
Functional appliances can help with overbites, protruding front teeth, lower jaw position, jaw imbalance and bite development problems.
No. Functional appliances guide jaw growth and bite development, while braces mainly move teeth into straighter positions.
Some children may still need fixed braces or clear aligners after functional appliance treatment for final tooth alignment.
You can call 01932 989785, WhatsApp 07961 920047 or email reception@myokidsdental.co.uk.
