Children · growth and airways
Myofunctional Appliances Winchester
Myofunctional trainers and “facial growth” appliances promise a lot online, but trials of stand-alone trainers are few and their measured effects small. Where a child genuinely needs growth guidance, our specialists use the twin block, a removable functional appliance with decades of published research behind it — and we’ll tell you honestly if no treatment is needed.
- Our approach
- Specialist diagnosis first
- Appliance of choice
- The twin block
- We screen for
- Nasal breathing, lip seal, tongue posture
- Monitoring
- DentalMonitoring™ scans between visits
- Consultation
- Free, no obligation
- Treated by
- A specialist orthodontist
Facial Growth, Airways and Early Orthodontics — Where We Stand
Social media is full of appliances and techniques promising to reshape children’s faces, open airways and change profiles — myofunctional therapy, orthotropics, Myobrace, airway orthodontics, or simply mewing. A few of these concepts have genuine clinical roots; many carry claims that run far ahead of the science. Parents deserve a specialist’s honest take, not a sales pitch.
Growth guidance is core specialist work — and we do it
Influencing how the jaws develop isn’t a trend at Winchester Orthodontic Practice; it’s a fundamental part of specialist orthodontic training and something our clinicians assess at every examination of a growing patient. Where the diagnosis genuinely calls for growth modification, our appliance of choice is the removable functional twin block — a well-researched appliance with decades of published evidence behind it, worn as an upper and lower plate that gently postures the lower jaw forward while your child grows.
Because it’s removable, the twin block is comfortable at mealtimes and easy to keep clean, and treatment is monitored closely at regular visits — with remote check-ins via DentalMonitoring™ between appointments. In well-chosen cases it can markedly reduce a prominent overjet, improve the bite and lessen the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth — often shortening or simplifying the brace stage that follows.
What the British Orthodontic Society advises
Following a 2024 General Dental Council case, the British Orthodontic Society publicly urged patients to be cautious and seek a second opinion if told an orthodontic treatment will lift a child’s cheekbones or significantly reposition the jaws, cure jaw-joint problems, improve speech or breathing disorders, or raise a child’s intelligence. We support that guidance without reservation. There is no sound scientific evidence that chewing exercises or holding a particular tongue position can change the shape of a face.
What the research actually supports
Independent academic reviews reach a consistent verdict: trials of stand-alone myofunctional trainers are few, and their measured effects are small. By contrast, a properly indicated functional appliance such as the twin block reliably delivers substantial overjet correction in a co-operative growing patient. Nasal breathing, lip seal and tongue posture do matter for healthy development — we screen every child for them — but an off-the-shelf silicone trainer worn an hour a day is not a substitute for an accurate specialist diagnosis.
Why Winchester families trust us with growing smiles
- Specialist-led diagnosis — registered specialist orthodontists assess growth, airway red flags and bite development before any appliance is recommended.
- Evidence over trends — our twin block protocol follows decades of published research; we don’t fit appliances the evidence can’t justify.
- The right timing — many children simply need watchful waiting and one well-timed treatment phase; we’ll tell you honestly which applies.
- Modern monitoring — DentalMonitoring™ remote scans track fit, wear and progress between visits.
Get an Honest Opinion on Your Child’s Smile
Book a free, no-obligation consultation with our specialist team on 01962 841009 — we’ll tell you what your child needs, and just as importantly, what they don’t.
We would rather talk you out of treatment your child doesn’t need than into treatment they don’t.
Families on Google
“Great practice, very professional providing braces for my teenage son, excellent cosmetic result. Always friendly and timely with appointments.”
“So pleased with the whole process for my son’s braces. Always really relaxed and all of the team are so helpful & friendly. Always easy to contact and quick to respond to any queries. We are almost at the end of his braces journey and I have recommend the team throughout and will continue to do so!”
A dentist has suggested a Myobrace or silicone trainer for my child — should we get it?
Get a specialist opinion first. Trainers of this kind have a modest evidence base as stand-alone treatment, and they’re not a full orthodontic plan. We’ll examine your child, tell you whether any treatment is needed yet, and explain every option if it is.
Is there anything to “mewing” and facial growth videos?
Healthy nasal breathing, lip seal and tongue posture genuinely matter, and we check them all. The claim that tongue posture alone can dramatically remodel a face or airway isn’t supported by good evidence — the British Orthodontic Society has said so explicitly.
What is a twin block and how does it work?
A twin block is a removable functional appliance: two custom-made plates that fit over the upper and lower teeth and meet at an angle that guides the lower jaw forward as your child grows. It’s typically worn full-time for around 6–12 months, usually between ages 9 and 14, and is often followed by a shorter phase of braces or aligners.
Does early treatment actually work?
For the right problems at the right age, yes — crossbites, prominent front teeth, habits like thumb-sucking and certain developmental issues respond well to timely interceptive treatment. What we resist are blanket claims that every child benefits from early appliances.
Will my child still need braces afterwards?
Usually a second, shorter phase is needed once the adult teeth are through. Anyone promising a trainer will eliminate braces entirely is overstating the evidence.
Can orthodontics fix snoring or breathing problems?
Breathing concerns in children need proper medical assessment, usually via a paediatrician or ENT specialist. Orthodontic treatment can play a supporting role in selected cases, but we won’t claim appliances cure breathing disorders — where we spot airway red flags we work alongside your child’s medical team.
Get an honest opinion on your child’s smile
Find out at a free 30-minute consultation with a specialist orthodontist. Also compare the twin block, orthodontics for kids and Spark Junior.