Functional appliance therapy in Mount Laurel, NJ is designed for one specific job: guiding jaw growth while a child or teen’s mouth is still developing, rather than just straightening the teeth that are already there. Instead of gradually moving individual teeth like braces do, a functional appliance gently nudges the jaw itself into a better position — which can help correct an overbite or underbite before it becomes a bigger, more complex problem later.
These appliances come in both removable and fixed varieties, and Dr. Len Ellis or Dr. Simona Lekht will recommend whichever fits your child’s specific bite and daily routine. Because they work with your child’s natural growth rather than against it, functional appliances are most effective for kids and teens — not adults, whose jaw growth is already complete.
If your child’s dentist or a routine exam has flagged an overbite or underbite, functional appliance therapy is often one of the first, most conservative options Dr. Ellis and Dr. Lekht will discuss with you — well before braces are ever mentioned.
Here’s how functional appliance therapy works at our Mount Laurel office:
- 1
Free consultation and bite evaluation
Dr. Ellis or Dr. Lekht examines your child’s bite and jaw development to see whether a functional appliance is the right fit.
- 2
Appliance selection
Depending on the specific bite issue, your child may be fitted with a removable or fixed functional appliance.
- 3
Custom fitting
The appliance is built and adjusted to fit comfortably and guide growth in the right direction.
- 4
Regular growth check-ins
Your child wears the appliance as directed, with periodic visits to track progress.
- 5
Transition to the next phase, if needed
Some kids move on to braces or Invisalign afterward; others don’t need to.
Functional Appliances for Kids: Why Timing Matters
Works with growth, not against it
Functional appliances take advantage of a window that closes once jaw growth is complete — which is why timing this evaluation matters.
Can simplify what comes next
Addressing an overbite or underbite early sometimes means a shorter, simpler path if braces are needed down the road.
Comfortable by design
These appliances are built for kids to wear as directed without disrupting daily life.
Functional Appliance FAQs
What conditions does functional appliance therapy treat?
It’s most often used for overbites and underbites — cases where the upper and lower jaw don’t quite line up.
How is this different from braces?
Braces move individual teeth. Functional appliances work on the position of the jaw itself, which is why they’re used earlier, while a child is still growing.
Is my child too young or too old for this?
Functional appliance therapy is generally most effective in kids and teens who still have growth ahead of them; Dr. Ellis or Dr. Lekht will confirm timing at a free consultation.
Will my child still need braces afterward?
Sometimes, sometimes not — it depends on how the bite responds. Many kids do go on to a second phase of treatment, but not all.
Is a functional appliance removable?
It depends on the type recommended for your child’s case — both removable and fixed options exist, and your provider will explain the tradeoffs of each.
Does insurance cover functional appliance therapy?
Coverage varies by plan. Our team can check your specific benefits, and flexible payment plans are available either way.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7 — early enough to catch a developing overbite or underbite while functional appliance therapy is still on the table.
A Jaw Growth Appliance Orthodontist Serving South Jersey
From a palatal expander in Mount Laurel, NJ to an orthodontic appliance for underbite correction, growth modification orthodontics works best when it starts on time. Families visit us from these nearby towns:
Marlton, NJ
Marlton parents can book a growth evaluation with our orthodontist Marlton NJ team.
Moorestown, NJ
Moorestown kids are a short drive from our office. Visit our orthodontist Moorestown NJ page.
Medford, NJ
Medford families get the same personal evaluation. See our orthodontist Medford NJ page.
Cherry Hill, NJ
Cherry Hill parents can learn more on our orthodontist Cherry Hill NJ page.
Dr. Len Ellis and Dr. Simona Lekht, both board-certified orthodontists, evaluate every child’s growth and bite personally before recommending functional appliance therapy — never a one-size-fits-all plan.
Advanced OrthodonticsThink your child’s bite might benefit from early guidance?
Schedule a free consultation and find out.