Functional Appliances

Will my functional appliance hurt?

When you first have your functional appliance (known as a Twin Block) fitted it will take a little while to get used to wearing it. You may find that it feels quite bulky at first as it covers the roof of your mouth on your upper teeth, and you will also have an appliance for the lower teeth. Sometimes you may develop a lisp which is normal but as your tongue and mouth get used to the brace then the lisp will go. Your Twin Block will not hurt however you may experience a little bit of achiness around your jaw. This is because the appliance is posturing your jaw forward into a different position to where it is used to being, this will cause the lower jaw to ache whilst it is getting used to this position. Any discomfort may only last a week or two and you will then soon notice the jaw will no longer ache as it gets used to its new position. If your jaw feels achy then it is sensible to eat soft foods for a few days.

Are there any foods I need to avoid with my Twin Block appliance?

With your Twin Block appliance there are foods and drinks that you will need to avoid. We recommend you avoid hard chewy foods such as hard-boiled sweets, chewing gum, sticky toffees and crunchy foods as this can damage your brace. Crunchy foods like apples or carrots must be cut into small, bite-size pieces. All fizzy drinks and cordials are very damaging to your teeth and should be avoided, however the occasional fizzy drink is acceptable at mealtimes and best if you can clean your teeth afterwards.

Can I eat with my brace in?

We recommend that you should eat with your Twin block appliance in. The reason we advise this is because when you eat the muscles around your jaw are constantly working which allows the lower jaw to posture forward a lot quicker. We understand that some patients may struggle with this however we do recommend you give it a good go! If you cannot get on with eating with your appliance in, then the appliance can be removed however it must go straight back in after. Eating with the appliance can also help to speed treatment time up.

What happens if my brace breaks?

If your brace breaks you must call the practice so we can advise you further. A Twin Block is quite robust, so it is unusual for it to break. We ask that you look after your brace and keep it safe in the retainer box when it is not being worn. If your brace does break then charges will apply for a new one.

How often do I have to wear my brace?

You will be instructed to wear your brace full time (day and night) unless instructed otherwise. Failing to wear the appliance full time will result in treatment time taking longer and unsuccessful movement. The only time your brace is to be removed is to clean it when cleaning your teeth and when you are playing any contact sports at school that require a gumshield. We recommend that you eat with your appliance in.

How is my brace made?

Your Twin Block is custom made to your teeth. We take a scan of your teeth which is like a digital picture, if you ask your orthodontist/therapist you will be able to see this once it is done. We send your scan electronically to a lab who will manufacturer your brace and send this back to us ready for you to have fitted.