ALF Appliances McKinney

Gentle Adjustments of Your Oral Structures

The traditional approach to orthodontics uses things like braces and clear aligners to reposition the teeth. Certainly, that is an important treatment for many people! However, some patients require a different approach. You or someone in your family might benefit from an ALF appliance. This unique approach to functional orthodontics has the goal of making sure that the oral structures all work in harmony, which can lead to improved oral and overall health. Continue reading below to learn more, or contact us directly to ask questions.

How Do ALF Appliances Work?

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ALF stands for Advanced Lightwire Functional. ALF appliances are small, custom-made orthodontic devices that sit discreetly behind the teeth. They can be used to guide the development of facial structures so they work optimally. These devices are often able to address things like bite misalignment, poor airway health, and even some types of dental misalignment.

ALF appliances generally use less force than traditional orthodontic gear, which makes them remarkably comfortable. Although they are often used for children because their facial structures are still developing, many adults can also benefit from ALF therapy.

Which Issues Do ALF Appliances Address?

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Some indications that an ALF appliance may be needed include:

Crooked and crowded teeth. An ALF appliance may create more space in the jaw, which can provide room for each tooth to function optimally.
Frequent mouth breathing. A restricted upper airway is often related to improper facial development. An ALF appliance may be able to help with this.
Snoring and sleep apnea. Frequent snoring and pauses in breathing during sleep (sleep apnea) may be reduced with the help of an ALF appliance.
Facial asymmetry. Facial asymmetry can point to undeveloped jaws, an issue that an ALF appliance may be able to help with.
TMJ disorder. By promoting proper jaw alignment, an ALF appliance may reduce jaw pain and related TMJ disorder symptoms.

Our team can perform an evaluation to determine if an ALF appliance is right for you or your child.

The Benefits of ALF Appliances

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The use of an ALF appliance may provide the following benefits:

You may experience improved comfort due to the gentle force applied by ALF appliances, which makes them easier to tolerate than traditional braces.
The treatment is discreet, since ALF appliances are placed behind your teeth and are not easily visible to others.
ALF appliances are removable, so they should not interfere with normal eating or oral hygiene habits.
In some cases, ALF therapy can replace traditional orthodontics.
By guiding the growth of facial structures, an ALF appliance might prevent the need for certain types of surgeries.