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Twin Block Appliance

Did you know that if your child's lower jaw is positioned too far backwards, functional appliances like the Twin Block can correct their jaw alignment and improve their overall health? 


Functional appliances are devices that are specially designed for orthodontic treatment to help correct bite problems, like underbite or severe crowding. They also encourage forward growth of the jaw to create enough space for your child's teeth in their upper and lower arches. 


You may think that improper jaw alignment is simply a matter of appearance or that your child will grow into it, but tooth and jaw alignment issues can cause unnecessary pain and embarrassment. These issues can also lead to more serious medical conditions, such as: 


  • Tooth decay
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Intense jaw pain


At Breath of Life Dental (BOLD), we want you and all our neighbors in North Bethesda, MD, and the surrounding area to live healthy and happy lives—starting with your dental wellness! 


If your child has improper jaw alignment, call our office at (301) 818-2653 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Maryam Seifi for the Twin Block appliance!

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What Does the Twin Block Appliance Do?

Twin blocks are functional appliances, or special braces that correct bite problems. Just like braces that align your teeth, the Twin Block will help to align your child's jaw and create more space for the teeth in their mouth

  • Aligns the Lower Jaw

    The Twin Block orthodontic appliance helps align your lower jaw by urging it to rest in a forward position when you bite. The Twin Block comes in two pieces, one for your upper jaw and one for your lower jaw. Each piece has specially shaped acrylic parts that rest over your molars. When you bite, these two parts will come into contact. Their shape will make your lower jaw slide forward and hold it in that position until you open your mouth again. 


    By making your lower jaw sit forward when you bite, the Twin Block helps to stretch your temporomandibular joint (or TMJ). This joint is what connects your lower jaw to your skull, and it is located in front of each of your ears. Stretching the TMJ will encourage it to naturally rest in the correct position, which in turn will encourage forward growth of your lower jaw. 

  • Creates More Space for Your Teeth

    If you have severely crowded or misaligned teeth that negatively impact your bite, the Twin Block can also increase the length or width of your jaws. The two pieces can expand to gently widen your palate and push your teeth forward. 


    By increasing the space in your mouth, the Twin Block will give your teeth more room to come in properly and sit in your gums without overlapping. This will help improve your bite and the overall appearance of your smile. 

Ready to help your child or teen improve their health and confidence? Call Breath of Life Dental at (301) 818-2653 to schedule a consultation for the Twin Block today!

What Does the Twin Block Appliance Treat?

The Twin Block technique is used to treat the following conditions in children and teenagers:

  • Malocclusion

    Malocclusion is a condition where your teeth do not align properly when you bite. It comes from the Latin word male meaning "badly" and occlusion meaning "close up." 


    Malocclusion is most often caused by the shape or size of your jaws (or of your teeth themselves). Having either not enough or too much space between your teeth can lead to the following problems when you close your jaw:

    • Significant overbite 
    • Underbite 
    • Crossbite 
    • Open bite

    Both of these situations, too much or too little space, can impact the alignment of your teeth and cause malocclusion. At Breath of Life Dental (BOLD), we use Twin Block to correct these orthodontic conditions in a safe, noninvasive way that is easy to wear.

  • Mandibular Retrognathia

    Retrognathia is a condition where your lower jaw (your mandible) is positioned too far back from your upper jaw, which may look like a "weak chin" or a severe overbite. It comes from the Latin word retro meaning "backwards" and the Greek word gnathos meaning "jaw."


    Some of the most common causes of mandibular retrognathia include: 


    • Genetic conditions (such as Pierre Robin sequence or Nager syndrome)
    • Surgery to remove a tumor from the mouth
    • Facial trauma or fractures, which can impact jaw development

    When your lower jaw is positioned too far backward, you can have a difficult time chewing your food. You can also have trouble breathing when you are asleep because your tongue is too far back in your mouth with retrognathia. This means that when you sleep, your tongue can actually block or restrict your airway, leading to obstructive sleep apnea. The Twin Block is a simple and safe device that corrects jaw and tongue position and encourages forward growth of the lower jaw. 

Does your child or teen have malocclusion or mandibular retrognathia? Call Breath of Life Dental at (301) 818-2653 to schedule a consultation for the Twin Block today!

Are There Any Risks of Untreated Malocclusion or Retrognathia?

Unfortunately, if left untreated, these two conditions can cause severe health problems down the line. For malocclusion, these risks can include: 


  • Tooth decay
  • Tooth loss
  • Gum disease
  • Damaged tooth enamel
  • TMJ or jaw pain
  • Low self-confidence


And for retrognathia, the risks of leaving it untreated can include: 


  • TMJ or jaw pain
  • Low self-confidence
  • Obstructive sleep apnea, which can lead to further medical complications


It is best to get these conditions treated sooner rather than later to avoid unnecessary pain, medical troubles, or issues with self-esteem. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Maryam Seifi, call our office at (301) 818-2653  today!

What Does the Twin Block Appliance Look Like?

The Twin Block appliance design is composed of two parts—one orthodontic treatment device for your upper jaw and one for your lower jaw. These two devices look very similar to a dental retainer like what you use after getting your teeth straightened with braces. 


The Twin Block, however, does not just focus on your teeth. Instead, each part of the appliance has a strong acrylic expander that gently pushes against your hard palate and gums. Dr. Maryam Seifi will slowly widen the acrylic expander at key stages during your treatment according to your orthodontic needs. Over time, the consistent pressure of the Twin Block will widen your upper and lower arches to give your teeth more room to grow and align properly. 


The Twin Block also has specially shaped pieces that fit over your upper molars, your lower molars, and bicuspids. When you bite, these two parts will slide against each other. Their shape will make your lower jaw slide forward and hold it in that position when you have your mouth closed. The unique shape of these pieces makes it very easy to open and close your mouth while ensuring your lower jaw aligns properly when you bite.


These two parts combined offer an extremely effective treatment for malocclusion and mandibular retrognathia in children and teenagers. Plus, since the Twin Block looks like a regular retainer, it does not draw any more attention than a retainer would—which is hardly any attention at all! 


Ready to help your child or teen? Call Breath of Life Dental at (301) 818-2653 to schedule a consultation for the Twin Block today!

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What to Expect With Your Twin Block Appliance

It's incredibly easy to get your child or teen started with the Twin Block orthodontic appliance. The first step is to call our office to schedule your consultation with Dr. Maryam Seifi. This consultation will be a thorough oral exam, including x-rays and other imaging as needed, so Dr. Seifi can get a complete picture of your child's orthodontic needs. 


After the examination, Dr. Seifi will explain your child's recommended treatment, an estimate of how long the treatment will last, and any other important details you should know. 


When your child or teen receives their Twin Block, Dr. Seifi will make sure they understand how to use and care for the appliance. She will go over: 


  • How long to wear it for each day 
  • How to properly clean the Twin Block
  • Suggestions for handling initial pain or discomfort
  • When you can remove the Twin Block
  • How long your treatment should last overall


For the first couple of days, your child may find the Twin Block uncomfortable. Because it stretches the lower jaw forward, it may also cause mild pain. Both pain and discomfort should wear off in a few days as your child uses and gets accustomed to the Twin Block. 


The Twin Block device is designed to be used 24 hours per day. Wearing it as often as possible will speed up your child's treatment time, which is usually less than 12 months for most patients. It is important to follow Dr. Seifi’s instructions regarding your Twin Block treatment so you can get the best possible results. 


Ready to take the first step? Call our office at (301) 818-2653 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Maryam Seifi today!

Schedule Your Consultation at Breath of Life Dental Today!

We understand that you want what is best for your child. That is why our team at Breath of Life Dental (BOLD) only uses the best tools and orthodontic devices to treat our patients. We want to see all of our neighbors (including you and yours!) live happy, healthy lives. That's why we have dedicated ourselves to treating orthodontic conditions with natural, noninvasive, and proven solutions. 


Call our office in North Bethesda, MD, to schedule your consultation for the Twin Block device and give your child the gifts of health and self-confidence. When you see the incredible changes their treatment brings, you'll be happy you made that phone call!


To schedule your consultation with Dr. Maryam Seifi, call Breath of Life Dental (BOLD) at (301) 818-2653 today!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the recommended age range for the Twin Block appliance?

    In general, Twin Block treatment is recommended for children between the ages of 10 and 14. The main concerns are: First, is your child young enough that their bones are still growing, which will give the best chance of success? And second, are they old enough to be able to wear the Twin Block all day and properly take care of it? For most children, the answers to both of those questions are yes between the ages of 10 and 14. 


    If your child is above or below this age range, you should still schedule a consultation with Dr. Maryam Seifi. If she determines from the examination that a Twin Block would not be the best solution for your child, she will recommend other treatment options that may work better for your child's unique needs.

  • What if my child is past the recommended age range but has these problems?

    That's okay! The Twin Block has been used for children outside of the 10-14 age range. Even if your child is an older teenager, you should still schedule a consultation with Dr. Maryam Seifi to discuss the best treatment options. She may recommend the Twin Block, or she may suggest another oral appliance that will better address your child's orthodontic needs. Call our office at (301) 818-2653 to schedule your consultation today!

  • Does this device require surgery?

    Not at all! That's part of why we love the Twin Block so much. It is a noninvasive treatment, which means it does not require any surgical procedure in order to work. The Twin Block is worn on the upper and lower arches, similar to an orthodontic retainer. It is easily removable for cleaning or sports, and it is simple to put back on yourself.

  • What other alternatives are there?

    There are alternative treatment options for both malocclusion and mandibular retrognathia. In general, there are three other options:

    • Orthodontic headgear, which is worn outside of the mouth to correct the jaw and teeth 
    • Tooth extraction surgery for severe crowding
    • Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery, once your child is old enough 

    The maxilla is the scientific name for your upper jaw, and the mandible is the scientific name for your lower jaw. So maxillomandibular simply means "relating to the upper and lower jaw." This procedure is done to surgically move your child's jaw forward, which gives their airway more space and corrects retrognathia. 


    At Breath of Life Dental, we prefer to use noninvasive treatment options whenever possible. Tooth extraction and MMA surgery will help the orthodontic issues listed above, but so will the Twin Block—without the need for incisions or recovery time. 


    Orthodontic headgear does work in a noninvasive way; but because it is worn outside the mouth, it is very noticeable and most children do not want to wear it. That's why we prefer to use the Twin Block, and so do our younger patients!


    When you're ready to see for yourself how effective the Twin Block device is, call our office at (301) 818-2653 to schedule your consultation!

  • How long do Twin Blocks take to work?

    For most patients, Twin Block treatment should take 12 months or less to achieve the desired results. This device is incredibly effective and works fast on younger patients because their bodies (and jawbone!) are still growing and developing, which means they are less resistant to changing shape and position. 


    Twin Block treatment may be followed by traditional braces or dental aligners to finish straightening your child's teeth, depending on their specific needs.

  • How many hours per day does my child need to wear the Twin Block?

    Your child should wear the Twin Block device 24 hours per day and only remove it to clean it. Wearing the device as long as possible is part of what makes it so effective and keeps the treatment length relatively short (12 months or less). 


    If your child participates in contact sports or other rigorous physical activity where they risk getting hit in the face, they can remove the Twin Block to play sports—but it should be put back on as soon as the practice or game is over.

  • Do you need to keep the Twin Block on while eating?

    Yes—that's part of the treatment! When you eat, your jaw and temporomandibular joints (TMJ) move together to chew your food. That movement is good exercise to keep your TMJ strong and healthy. But when your lower jaw is misaligned, your TMJ is getting the wrong type of exercise. 


    Think of it like trying to do calf muscle exercises to improve your posture. Exercising your calves is good, but if you want good posture, you need to exercise your stomach and back muscles!


    The Twin Block helps to exercise and strengthen your jaw and TMJ to bite in proper alignment. That's why you should always wear it while eating—but make sure you take it out to clean it once mealtime is over!

  • What is the best way to clean the Twin Block?

    When you take the Twin Block appliance out to brush your teeth, you should also take the time to clean the appliance itself. You can use a separate toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste to gently brush all around the appliance, then rinse it off in warm water. 


    It's a good idea to soak your Twin Block in a disinfectant and cleaning solution 1-2 times per week. Make sure you use warm water, not hot water which could damage the appliance. 


    You should thoroughly rinse the appliance after each meal to clean off food particles and residue, especially if you eat something sugary. This will keep your Twin Block and your teeth in good shape throughout your treatment.

  • I have another question that wasn't answered here. Who can I talk to?

    We will be happy to answer any other questions you have! Call our dental office at (301) 818-2653 to speak with one of our expert staff today! You can also reach out to us online by clicking on this link and filling out the contact form.

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