What is a trainer function?
The trainer jaw is a plastic appliance used for children in the pre-orthodontic stage. This type of appliance has the function of limiting children’s bad habits that harm their teeth such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, chin support, tongue misplacement, etc.
Unlike traditional braces, this method of braces does not require wires, elastic bands or brackets. Silicone braces are designed in a parabolic shape that hugs the teeth to help adjust and rearrange teeth that are misaligned and pushed together.
There are two types of trainers on the market today:
- Blue silicone trainer jaw: softer, used at the first stage of wearing from 9-12 months to straighten, balance, and correct incisors.
- Pink silicone trainer jaw: harder, exerts stronger force, used after wearing the blue trainer jaw.
The effect of the trainer function on children
In some cases, when used correctly with a cooperative child, the trainer function can have a certain effect. However, the downside of trainers is that the jaws are only a certain size, so it may not be suitable for all patients. Wearing a jaw that is too wide with a narrow tooth arch or vice versa will bring bad results. In addition, parents are likely to have the wrong opinion about orthodontic treatment for their children when they see advertisements about trainer jaws. Buying dentures for your child to wear at home, ignoring the doctor’s examination and diagnosis will cause bad consequences for the growth and development of your child’s teeth later.
Thus, the trainer jaw will have a good effect if the patient cooperates well, wears it for enough time and wears it exactly as prescribed by the doctor. However, remember that regardless of the method of orthodontic treatment, the first thing you should do is take your child to a reputable dental facility with a team of qualified doctors to examine and advise on the most appropriate treatment plan for your baby.
