Functional Education, why, for whom?
Numerous studies have shown that 2 out of 3 children are proposed orthodontic treatment (UFSBD figures).
However, 80% of these cases result from a ventilation or deglutition dysfunction, functions under the influence of the tongue and lips which play a preponderant role in orofacial musculature.
Faced with this observation, Functional Education was born.
Developed in the 90s, it allows us to intervene in dental deformations and malpositions using flexible splints (with or without indentations) to liberate the growth of the face and jaws as early as possible while mediating functional blockages.
These splints act on dental positioning by liberating the dental corridors, on lingual positioning and labial musculature and on the liberation of mandibular growth allowing immediate treatment of TMJ muscular dysfunctions.
Functional Education, yes but for whom?
These splints can be prescribed for intervention in temporary dentition (under 6 years old), mixed (6 to 10 years old) or during the establishment of young adult dentition (over 10 years old). The younger the children are treated, the easier it is to correct functional problems that over time become entrenched and worsen.
Functional Education, how does it work?
Combined with good collaboration and day and night wear, this treatment can be carried out in three phases:
- A first phase that treats muscular dysfunctions and growth deviations, allowing for an improvement in the placement of the teeth
- A second phase which continues the correction of the first but with a more marked effect on the dento-alveolar zone
- A third phase that can be considered orthodontics “proper” with a multi-attachment treatment or a consolidation phase of the two previous phases.
Simple to implement, Functional Education brings well-being and comfort and is a real chance for the child and the adult in the making.
