Functional Appliances & Myofunctional Therapy in Kent and Sammamish
Some bite problems start with jaw growth and muscle habits, not crooked teeth. Dr. Freelove uses growth-guiding appliances, airway-focused planning with CBCT imaging, and coordination with local myofunctional therapy providers to address the cause while a child is still growing.
Reviewed and approved by Dr. Cameron Freelove, DDS, MS · Last updated
What “Functional” Means in Orthodontics
In orthodontics, functional treatment works with jaw growth and muscle function rather than tooth position alone. Functional appliances apply gentle, sustained force that guides how the jaws grow. Myofunctional therapy retrains the tongue and lip patterns that push a bite out of shape.
Dr. Freelove uses Phase 1 intervention for the problems that genuinely benefit from an early start: crossbite, habit correction, tooth impaction caused by crowding, airway concerns when the upper jaw is underdeveloped, and cases planned in conjunction with myofunctional therapy for proper tongue function. Every new patient receives airway screening, including CBCT analysis of the airway when clinically indicated.
Orthopedic Appliances vs. Behavioral (Myofunctional) Therapy
The word functional covers two related but distinct approaches. Orthopedic appliances apply measurable force to the growing jaw bones to change their position. Myofunctional therapy retrains the tongue, lips, and swallowing muscles through daily exercises so the patient’s own muscle patterns stop working against the bite.
Most comprehensive treatment plans at Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design use both, appliance force to move the skeleton, exercise protocols to hold the result.
| Approach | What it does | At Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design |
|---|---|---|
| Palatal expanders / MARPE | Widen a narrow upper jaw to create room and support nasal breathing | Offered. Dr. Freelove places MARPE mini-screws in-office under local anesthesia, with no oral-surgeon referral for placement. |
| Herbst appliance | Holds the lower jaw forward during growth to correct a Class II bite | Offered when growth modification is indicated. See the Herbst page. |
| Habit-correction appliances | Interrupt thumb-sucking or tongue-thrust pressure so the bite can recover | Habit correction is part of Phase 1 care. Habit appliances include tongue spurs, the hayrake and bluegrass appliances, and tongue and thumb cribs. |
| Myofunctional therapy | Daily exercises retraining tongue posture, swallowing, and lip seal | Coordinated with local myofunctional therapy providers when indicated; therapy is delivered by the outside provider. |
Class II Correctors for Growing Patients
When the lower jaw sits behind its ideal position in a growing child, a Class II corrector guides it forward while growth is active. Dr. Freelove offers the Herbst appliance for this job when growth modification is indicated: a fixed corrector that works around the clock without relying on compliance.
Timing drives the result. Dr. Freelove agrees with the AAO recommendation for a first evaluation no later than age 7, which lets him track growth over recheck visits and start the corrector at the right moment instead of reacting late.
Habit Breakers: Tongue Crib, Bluegrass, Thumb-Sucking Appliances
Thumb-sucking and tongue-thrust habits put steady pressure on the front teeth, and steady pressure is exactly how orthodontics moves teeth, just in the wrong direction. Habit-correction appliances remove that pressure so the bite has a chance to recover on its own.
Dr. Freelove includes habit correction among the problems Phase 1 treatment addresses, and pairs appliance treatment with myofunctional therapy coordination when tongue function is part of the picture. The specific habit appliances Dr. Freelove uses include tongue spurs bonded to the braces, the hayrake and bluegrass appliances, and tongue and thumb cribs. The right one depends on the habit and the child’s age.
When Functional Appliances Work Best
Dr. Freelove’s Early-Treatment Philosophy
Phase 1 is for children who genuinely need early intervention: crossbite, habit correction, tooth impaction due to crowding, and airway concerns when the upper jaw is underdeveloped. Not every child who could benefit from treatment needs to start early.
When waiting for full eruption would achieve the same result, Dr. Freelove places the child in observation instead and monitors growth at recheck visits until the timing is right.
Functional appliances work best while growth is active, which is why the evaluation matters even when treatment does not start right away. The free consultation includes a digital intraoral scan, a growth assessment, and airway screening.
What Functional Appliances and Myofunctional Care Cost
Phase 1 treatment: from $3,050 with braces, $4,500 with clear aligners
Depending on the appliance and treatment plan.
Expander treatment: about $3,500 to $4,500
Depending on the appliance and treatment plan.
Myofunctional therapy is provided and billed by the outside therapy provider, not by the practice. Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design accepts all PPO orthodontic insurance plans and files claims directly, accepts HSA and FSA funds, and offers in-house payment plans starting at $300 down and $199 per month, with CareCredit 0% APR promotional financing available and a 5% pay-in-full discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a child first see an orthodontist?
Dr. Freelove agrees with the American Association of Orthodontists recommendation: a first evaluation no later than age 7. Most children evaluated at that age do not start treatment then; the visit establishes a growth baseline so any intervention is timed well. The consultation is free and includes a digital intraoral scan and airway screening.
Does every child need Phase 1 treatment?
No. When a child is not ready, or when waiting for full eruption would achieve the same result, Dr. Freelove places the child in observation and monitors growth rather than starting treatment early for its own sake.
What problems does Phase 1 address at Freelove Orthodontics?
Crossbite, habit correction, tooth impaction due to crowding, airway concerns when the upper jaw is underdeveloped, and cases planned in conjunction with myofunctional therapy for proper tongue function.
Is myofunctional therapy provided in the office?
The therapy itself is delivered by local myofunctional therapy providers. Freelove Orthodontics & Smile Design coordinates that care when tongue posture, tongue thrust, or airway-related habits warrant interdisciplinary support, and Dr. Freelove times appliance treatment around it.
What does functional appliance treatment cost?
Phase 1 treatment starts at $3,050 with braces and $4,500 with clear aligners, and expander treatment runs from about $3,500 to $4,500. The consultation is free, in-house payment plans start at $300 down and $199 per month, and a 5% pay-in-full discount applies.
Conditions Functional Appliances Address
Is Your Child a Candidate for Early Jaw Correction?
Free consultation includes growth assessment, airway screening, and a full cost breakdown. Community discounts apply.