Girl smiles brightly, revealing gaps in teeth; wearing a blue shirt, hair up in a bun, against a white backdrop.

FUNCTIONAL APPLIANCES

At Village Orthodontics in Dunwoody, GA, functional appliances help guide growing jaws and teeth into healthier positions before problems become more serious. Using advanced orthodontic technology, Dr. Bret Freedman designs custom appliance plans for children and teens who have underbites, overbites, overjet, open bites, crowding, or teeth that do not align properly with the jaws. From rapid palatal expanders and quad helix appliances to lingual holding arches, space maintainers, Motion Appliances, and Herbst appliances, our goal is to use growth to your child’s advantage so their future braces or Invisalign® treatment is smoother, shorter, and more predictable.

GROWTH

Functional appliances take advantage of a child’s natural growth to gently guide jaw development and tooth position.

PREVENTION

Early appliance therapy can reduce the need for more complex treatment later by addressing bite and spacing issues at the right time.

SUPPORT

Appliances help create room for erupting permanent teeth and support a healthier, more balanced bite before full braces are placed.

Dental retainer on a white tooth model; metal wire across front teeth, attached to molar caps.

Long-Term Success

Functional appliances at Village Orthodontics are about setting your child up for long-term orthodontic success, not just fixing what you see today. By intervening at the right age, usually between 7 and 15 when the bones in the mouth are still developing, we can widen narrow jaws, correct crossbites, improve underbites and overbites, and create space for permanent teeth to erupt properly. Combined with our family-friendly Dunwoody office, flexible financing, and close monitoring by Dr. Freedman, functional appliance therapy gives families across Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and Norcross a smart, proactive way to protect their child’s smile and bite.


To learn more about Functional Appliances from Village Orthodontics, read our FAQ below!

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Functional Appliances FAQ

  • What are functional appliances in orthodontics?

    Functional appliances are specialized orthodontic devices that help guide the growth and position of the jaws and teeth, especially in children and teens who are still growing. At Village Orthodontics, they are used to correct issues like underbites, overbites, overjet, open bites, and crowding, and to create space for permanent teeth to erupt into healthier positions.

  • What types of functional appliances do you use at Village Orthodontics?

    We offer several types of functional appliances based on each child’s needs, including rapid palatal expanders, quad helix expanders, lingual holding arches, space maintainers, Motion Appliances, and Herbst appliances. Dr. Freedman will recommend the specific appliance or combination of appliances that best addresses your child’s bite and growth pattern.

  • What problems can functional appliances help correct?

    Functional appliances can be very effective for children with crowding, teeth that are outside the normal alignment of the jaws, underbite where you cannot see the upper teeth, overbite where you cannot see the lower teeth, overjet where the upper front teeth stick out too far, open bite where the teeth do not touch, and situations where permanent teeth have not yet erupted and space needs to be preserved or created.

  • What age is best for functional appliance treatment?

    Children aged 7 to 15 who are still growing are typically the best candidates for functional appliances. At this stage, the bones in the mouth have not yet fully fused, which allows appliances to work more quickly and effectively to guide jaw growth and tooth position. That is why we recommend an early orthodontic evaluation around age 7.

  • How do functional appliances work with braces or Invisalign?

    Functional appliances are often used before or along with braces or Invisalign to correct the underlying jaw and spacing issues. Once the jaws are better aligned and space is created, braces or aligners can focus more efficiently on straightening the teeth and fine-tuning the bite. This step-by-step approach can help shorten and simplify later comprehensive treatment.

  • How long will my child need to wear a functional appliance?

    The length of time depends on the specific appliance and the severity of the issue being treated. Many functional appliances are worn for several months to a year, sometimes followed by additional orthodontic treatment like braces or Invisalign. During your consultation, Dr. Freedman will estimate how long your child may need to wear the appliance based on their individual needs and growth.

  • Are functional appliances uncomfortable?

    As with any orthodontic device, there may be an adjustment period where your child notices pressure or mild soreness as the appliance begins to work. Most patients adapt within a few days. Our team will show you and your child how to manage any irritation and keep the appliance clean so treatment stays as comfortable as possible.

  • How much do functional appliances cost and what are the payment options?

    The cost of functional appliance therapy varies based on the appliance type and the overall treatment plan. After Dr. Freedman completes a consultation, our treatment and financial coordinator will review the fees, explain your options, and create a no interest payment plan that fits your budget. Village Orthodontics partners with most major PPO dental insurance carriers, accepts major credit cards and CareCredit, and offers discounts for families who are able to pay in full.

  • Will my insurance cover functional appliances?

    If your dental insurance includes orthodontic benefits, it may help cover functional appliance therapy as part of your child’s overall orthodontic treatment. Our team will verify your benefits, file claims on your behalf, and help you understand how much insurance is expected to contribute and what portion will be your responsibility.

  • What should we expect during functional appliance treatment?

    During treatment, your child will have regular visits so Dr. Freedman can monitor growth, adjust the appliance if needed, and ensure it is working properly. We will review cleaning instructions, check for any irritation, and keep you informed about progress. Once the appliance has done its job, we will discuss the next steps, which may include braces or Invisalign to complete the smile and bite transformation.