LM-Activator trainers: when is it advisable to use

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Trainers today are an excellent alternative to braces. They perform almost the same functions, but it is much easier to get used to them, since you can remove them periodically.

LM-Activator trainers can be used even before all teeth erupt , which greatly simplifies their alignment later.

What are LM-Activator trainers?

LM-activator is an orthodontic device for early treatment. It is a mouthguard made of highly elastic material, which patients quickly get used to. LM-activator is put on the teeth and is a two-jaw device, i.e. it is put on both the upper and lower teeth at once. It belongs to the category of dental trainers.

Read in detail about how to use trainers and what they are needed for here: Trainers for straightening teeth: description, varieties, tips for use.

Indications for use

After the examination, the doctor may recommend an LM activator if the following disorders are detected:

• all kinds of bite pathologies (crossbite, open, deep, distal);
• crowding of the frontal teeth;
• gummy smile;
• reverse arrangement of teeth.

If a child has bad habits, such as thumb sucking, or other factors that can lead to malocclusion, the device is recommended for use as a preventive measure.

Since the sizes of the devices differ, it is possible to choose a model for a patient of any age. This method of treatment, compared to fixed orthodontic structures, is more comfortable. In the photo you can see young patients before and after treatment.

Purpose and capabilities

The LM activator is necessary to restore the correct bite. But it also has additional functions that ensure that the effect remains long-lasting after the end of treatment. Namely:

• normalization of breathing and swallowing;
• elimination of bad habits that affect the position of teeth (sucking fingers, objects);
• normalization of muscle tone;
• elimination of speech defects.

In fact, the device not only straightens teeth, but affects the causes of malocclusion: bad habits, muscle weakness, etc. The result of wearing the LM activator is visible in the photo below.

“Before” and “After” wearing the LM activator

Advantages of LM activator

Experts say that this activator is the optimal tool for early correction, as well as correction of orthodontic disorders:

• It is possible to achieve a positive result in the shortest possible time;
• Convenient design, as well as aesthetic appearance;
• Optimal correction mode;
• Can be used in the early stages of tooth growth;
• Speech defects are corrected;
• Bad habits disappear;
• Affordable price.

This device shows only positive results of use. Some patients have reported that the trays sometimes fall out of their mouths at night, but these are isolated cases. This is the best solution to fix many problems.

When is use recommended and contraindicated?

Indications for the use of the LM-activator are the following orthodontic pathologies:

• crowding of teeth in the area of ​​incisors and canines;
• rotation of incisors and canines;
• gummy smile;
• open bite;
• distal bite;
• crossbite.

LM activators cannot be used when the dentist has placed a mesial bite or noted a displacement of the midline of the teeth by more than 3 mm. Also, the device is not suitable for patients with narrow dental arches.

General overview

The design of the trainers, which look like sports mouthguards, includes positioners that influence the position of defective units, as well as high walls and lingual edges that ensure stable fixation in the oral cavity. Activators are prescribed to patients in the younger age group, making it possible to avoid radical intervention and removal of abnormally growing teeth. The material used for manufacturing is elastic hypoallergenic silicone, which is characterized by increased elasticity.

The line of LM activators provides the possibility of using a variety of models that differ in shape and size, and take into account the features of the anatomical structure of the jaw region. Comfortable and painless wearing guarantees quick adaptation and eliminates problems in the process of restoring the dentition. The greatest effectiveness of the systems is observed when installed during the formation of the primary and secondary dentition, which is determined by the susceptibility of the bone structure to the directed pressure exerted by the trainer. In addition, activators are prescribed to patients with impaired functionality of the temporomandibular joint, increased abrasion of enamel, as well as problems with swallowing and respiratory functions.

Device design

LM-activator is made of safe, elastic silicone that easily fits any bite. It has the shape of perfect occlusion. Design elements:

• the basic shape, which is a semicircle with space for teeth;
• walls that prevent the device from falling out;
• lingual edges to help children with deep bites hold the device;
• positioners for teeth align the front row (incisors, canines, first premolars);
• buccal and lingual walls, aligning premolars and molars;
• breathing hole in the front wall.

The LM activator is quite convenient and easy to use, and its design is carefully thought out and suitable for different patients.

The process of dentition correction

The best effect is achieved if you start using the device in the early period before teething or during their appearance. As the child’s maxillofacial apparatus grows, the trainers have to be changed 2-3 times.

Stages of corrective treatment:

1. At the first visit to the doctor, a visual examination of the condition of the oral cavity takes place. Special measurements and x-rays are taken if necessary. The doctor makes a diagnosis. The orthodontist decides what type of fixation is required in each particular case. The expected duration of treatment is discussed.
2. Active use of the LM activator occurs strictly as prescribed by the doctor. It is necessary to observe the periods of wearing and removing the mouth guard. Follow instructions for care and cleaning of the device. Do not chew or squeeze the pads. After 1 month you should see a doctor. Next, you need to visit the orthodontist every 3 months to monitor and adjust the therapy.
3. The duration of treatment depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. Some people need little time to correct the deficiencies of jaw pathologies, while others need a long period of time to achieve results. Treatment can be completed after the correct bite has been formed and the teeth are aligned. In some cases, it is recommended to continue using the trainer only at night. All actions and manipulations of the doctor are based on data on the state of the patient’s bone-jaw characteristics. Taking into account growth rates and changes in physiological parameters. The average duration of treatment with LM-activator is 1 year.

The orthodontic device is made of durable, safe material. But still, with a strong mechanical impact on it, the device can become deformed. The instructions for use must be strictly followed.

Types

LM activators are produced in different sizes and parameters. Each has its own purpose, so a doctor must select a specific device. Each product is sold in a container of its own color. In total, there are 37 types of activators for teeth.

4 main types of LM activator in different boxes

By height

Based on height, there are low and high varieties. The low model has broader indications for use, while the high model is specialized. It is designed for open bite. In addition to the enlarged sides, this LM-activator has thickened lateral sections of the walls in the area of ​​the second premolars and molars.

By lenght

The availability of short and long LM activators on sale is explained by the fact that the device is often prescribed to children whose so-called “sevens” have not yet emerged. If parts of the molars are missing, wearing a long model is inconvenient, so a shortened one is used.

To size

LM activators are divided by size for ease of wearing. To select the appropriate device, the doctor uses a special line of LM-OrthoSizer. It helps to calculate the size between the second incisor and the canine and determine which product the patient requires. If there is crowding of teeth or diastema, the doctor gives preference to a larger or smaller size of the structure.

Ruler for selecting the size of the LM activator

Myobrace trainers

The Myobrace trainer system is represented by three series of devices:

• MBS (Myobrace Starter);
• the MYOBRACE system itself in 7 sizes;
• frameless MBN series, also available in 7 sizes.

Orthodontic devices of the “Myobrace” series with a two-layer design combine the advantages of soft flexible silicone, which forms the outer layer, and an internal elastic frame, which stimulates the growth and expansion of the patient’s dental arch. These devices can also be recommended for use during the period of retention when correcting crowding of teeth in the anterior region.

Unlike previous myofunctional devices, it is available in seven sizes. The orthodontist selects the size individually for each patient, measuring the distance in the upper frontal region between the second teeth. The elongated distal ends of the appliance provide good support for the second molars.

An excellent leveling effect is ensured due to the high elasticity of the internal polyurethane layer of the device. And at the same time, devices of the Myobrace series are as comfortable as possible for the patient, thanks to a flexible silicone outer layer that does not irritate the gums and oral mucosa.

1. DYNAMICORE - elastic internal frame (absent in MBN);
2. cells for anterior teeth (not available in MBS);
3. tongue for correct tongue placement;
4. tongue position limiter;
5. lip bumpers.

This device is ideal for treating patients who, for one reason or another, do not want to wear fixed orthodontic appliances. The stimulating and supporting effect of the device is aimed at the development and expansion of the dental arch, which significantly reduces the need to use fixed equipment. In addition, this system can be used as a pre-finisher or retainer after removal of braces, as well as for the correction of any disocclusions that require intensive expansion of the dental arches. When using the Myobrace series devices, the maximum leveling effect is achieved in the anterior region, while providing the necessary space for the erupting canines and ideally correcting the center line.

Recommended wearing time: ONE HOUR DAY AND ALL NIGHT

The Myobrace system is designed specifically to correct crowding of teeth in the anterior region with a lack of space of no more than 4-6 mm and a sagittal gap not exceeding 5 mm. If the sagittal gap exceeds 5 mm, as well as with severe retrusion, treatment according to indications is recommended to begin with the Myobrace-Starter (MBS) system, developed specifically for such cases. You can buy Myobrace trainers at our dental clinic (metro Dmitry Donskoy Boulevard).

How to use. Wearing rules

The LM activator is designed to be worn during sleep and for 2 hours during the day. The treatment itself takes place at night, when the trainer has a particularly strong effect on the position of the teeth, since it acts on them for a long time. Daytime hours are necessary to form the habit of holding the LM activator in the mouth.

The treatment phases are divided into active and retention periods. First, you need to wear the LM Activator every day and every night. Daytime hours are divided into intervals of 15-30 minutes, depending on how old the patient is and what the doctor recommends. For some children, a special program for getting used to the LM activator is being developed.

At the beginning of treatment, the doctor is visited every 4-5 weeks, then every 10 weeks. During the retention period, it is necessary to visit the dentist once every 6 months to make sure that the effect of treatment has not faded with age. Recommendations for wearing LM activators during retention are given by the doctor.

Installation and treatment with a corrective device

Like any medical device, the LM activator has certain indications for use. Among them:

• malocclusion (open, deep, cross, distal bite);
• too close arrangement of teeth in the anterior group;
• reverse position of individual teeth;
• “gummy” smile;
• prevention of malocclusion.

Contraindications to the use of the activator include:

• too narrow upper dentition;
• mesial bite;
• too large (over 3 millimeters) displacement of the midline.

Practice has shown that the activator is most effective in mixed and primary occlusions. Application in the initial permanent dentition also shows good results. Due to the peculiarities of physiology in adults, the device is used quite rarely.

Experts who have been working with these devices for a long time have discovered that they can also be used in non-standard cases. For example, if necessary, additional elements can be introduced into the activator for a targeted effect on a specific tooth (or several teeth).

In adults, the device can be used to eliminate dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints, as well as if the hard tissues of the teeth have increased abrasion. It can also be used as a mouth guard for remineralization therapy, and in some cases as a retention device after orthodontic treatment.

Since the installation of the LM activator is not permanent, its preliminary fixation takes place in our clinic, after which the structure is removed. We will give you valuable instructions regarding the use of the product, as well as schedule a visit to monitor the progress of treatment.

The LM activator has 37 different models in its line with optional length and thickness of the product in the fixation zone. This variety will help our orthodontist choose the ideal trainer option for the child, which fully matches the structural features of his jaw. The device can be worn on both the upper and lower jaw. The specific treatment plan depends on the complexity of the original case.

If you are worried about your child’s pain, we hasten to assure you that he will not feel any discomfort. The elasticity of the material from which the device is made quickly adapts to the parameters of the jaw and does not cause pain to the patient. This also adds advantages to the trainer over conventional metal braces.

You must pay attention to some nuances of wearing the device. The child's teeth should be tightly closed and the mouth closed. Intense biting, chewing, grinding or clenching of teeth may damage the product. A second appointment with our specialist should take place after 4-5 weeks of constant wearing of the LM activator. Follow-up visits should occur at 10-12 week intervals until orthodontic treatment is completely completed.

During follow-up consultations, our dentist may cancel additional daily wear, or perhaps increase its duration. It all depends on the complexity of the case and the dynamics of treatment.

The entire process of correcting the bite, as a rule, takes no more than 1-1.5 years. However, the correction period may be delayed, depending on the patient’s age, as well as the type and degree of the specific pathology.

At one of the control appointments, our specialist can make changes to the design of the trainer using a silicone drill, scissors or a scalpel. Typically, these manipulations are performed when the bite changes during treatment, but they may also be appropriate in an emergency. If your child complains of too much pressure on soft tissue, contact us immediately and we will quickly resolve the problem.

Caring for the device

The LM activator must be constantly cleaned and disinfected. They can be produced in an autoclave at a temperature of 134 degrees Celsius. At home, disinfection should be carried out by boiling. Also, the patient (or his relatives) should regularly clean the device with a toothbrush. In this case, you can use antibacterial solutions and toothpastes.

There are no absolute contraindications to wearing the device. However, in some cases its use is inappropriate and impractical.

The trainer is not used when:

• Displacement of the midline of the jaw by 3 mm or more;
• Extremely narrow frontal dentition;
• Mesial occlusion.

For adult patients with mature teeth, wearing a LM activator is indicated in exceptional cases.

Today, everyone has access to online markets with an abundance of various medical products. LM-activator is no exception - any parent can purchase it without leaving home.

However, there is no need to do this, since you risk not only not getting results, but also harming your baby. When selecting a specific shape and size of a trainer, it is important to take into account the presence of crowding or diastema of certain teeth. Depending on the pathology, these parameters must be adjusted, even if they correspond to the results of the initial measurements.

When trying on the structure, it is important to make sure that the teeth are in the correct position - otherwise, the treatment will not give any results. And finally, the device model can optionally change during the treatment process. You will not be able to cope with all these tasks on your own. Of course, unless you are an orthodontist yourself.

Do you want your child to smile at the dentist's appointment? Then we invite you to a consultation at our Alfa-Dent clinic! Our professionals will select the optimal treatment regimen, carry it out painlessly, comfortably and with guaranteed quality. Call us and make an appointment!

Proper care

During treatment, it is important to ensure that the child does not chew or chew the LM activator during the day. Otherwise, caring for the device is quite simple:

• after sleep, LM activators are cleaned using regular paste;
• During the day after use, the device is washed with warm water;
• In between wearing periods, the LM activator must be stored in a container.

If necessary, the LM activator for teeth can be processed in an autoclave or disinfected by boiling. There are also disinfection tablets.

Operating principle

The silicone mouthguard must be used at night, and it must also be used during the day, for at least two hours. The jaws should be quite tightly closed, and the mouth should be closed.

Thus, the correct fixation of the teeth is carried out, and the healing process occurs. The action is based on insignificant but effective all-round pressure on the jaw area, and the dentition is also firmly fixed in the correct position.

Pros and cons of the device

The main advantages of the LM activator are:

• painless and relatively quick teeth straightening;
• wearing it allows not only to correct the bite, but also to develop the lower jaw;
• the material is safe and does not cause allergic reactions;
• wide size range;
• low price compared to other orthodontic treatment methods.

Based on reviews of LM activators, one can determine their disadvantages. They are associated with the need for constant wearing: not every child will agree to this. Parents have to motivate their little patient in different ways. At the same time, regularity and wearing the LM activator strictly according to the instructions is crucial in treatment.

Price

Depending on the model of the trainer and its size, you can buy it at different prices. On average , using one device will cost parents 12,300 rubles .

Additionally, you need to take into account the duration of treatment and the need to replace this orthodontic structure.

This method of straightening teeth, despite the cost, is considered one of the cheapest orthodontic methods. It will cost much more to straighten teeth or other malocclusions with braces.

This method is also convenient due to active use at night . A child can go to school, communicate with peers, without experiencing discomfort, since only a few will know about the use of an orthodontic apparatus.

Conclusions. Expert advice

The LM-activator is a simple and convenient device that provides relatively quick and painless restoration of bite in children. Its main advantage is that the device not only returns teeth to their place, but removes the cause of malocclusion: it weanes off bad habits, improves muscle tone, and helps the jaw develop correctly.

The purpose of the device must be determined by a doctor, since the LM activator cannot always be used. The specialist must also select the type of product in terms of height, width and size. If you wear it while your child is actively growing, you will have to change the size of the device once or even twice.

Proper use and proper care of the mouthguard, as well as good motivation of the child, are the main components of successful treatment. And you need to visit your doctor regularly to monitor your results.

Duration of treatment

The duration of therapy for each child is selected individually. It depends on the severity of the anomaly, the type of pathology, and the age of the patient.

The doctor observes how the treatment process progresses: some patients straighten their teeth quickly, while others need more time for this. On average, treatment takes about a year .

For children, the timing is blurred, since the period of adaptation is taken into account. Some people's jaws grow quickly, which is why they have to change several trainers, each of which takes some getting used to.

However, by regularly visiting the orthodontist and responsibly following all recommendations, you can significantly reduce the correction period.