Painfree Dentistry

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77 Marion St Harris Park
Harris Park, NSW 2150

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Painfree Dentistry > General Dentistry > Functional and Orthopaedic Appliance

MARA appliance therapy offers a solution for both adults and children looking to improve their breathing or appearance.

mother and daughter | Orthodontics in Parramatta

Functional and Orthopaedic Appliance in Parramatta

Your upper arch bone is essential as it controls where the lower jaw will sit. The position of the lower jaw can affect the TMJ joint and the airways, which is why the bone needs to be corrected if it is underdeveloped. At Painfree Dentistry, we offer MARA (Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance) and twin block treatment to help correct overbites and align the upper and lower jaws. These solutions are not as bulky or obstructive as some other appliances.

parramatta dentist | woman smiling

What Is MARA?

MARA is an orthodontic device that is fixed and non-removable. It is a system that guides the lower jaw forward so that the front teeth come together. The MARA is a functional appliance because the patient must function while wearing the device. When the jaw is in the correct position, it makes the jaw grow and stay in the right place.

The device has an arm in the lower arch, which extends horizontally from a stainless-steel crown on the first molar. There will also be a crown on the upper first molar, which will have a vertical piece that will guide the jaw forwards into the correct position. Once the dentist places the MARA, the patient can bite down, sliding the jaw forward. The lower arms will then sit in front of the elbows, which keeps the device in place.

The MARA Process

The dentist will likely put spaces around your first molars to ensure enough room for crown placement. Your dentist will place the crowns about a week before you have the MARA fitted. When the treatment begins, it will remove the spaces, and we will clean the first molars to ensure they're plaque-free.

Next, your Parramatta dentist will test the MARA crowns on your teeth to ensure they fit comfortably, and we will then cement them in place. Your dentist may use gold-colored cement as it makes cleaning easier after treatment when we remove the crowns. Then you will bite down on some cotton while the cement sets, which takes about five minutes. When the cement is set, we will clean the area again, and your treatment journey begins.

Things You Should Know About MARA

The device can be challenging to use at first because to close your mouth fully, the device will force the lower jaw to move forward. This will become normal in around a week, and you can close your mouth without thinking about it.
We will give you gauze squares for the first few days to protect the cheeks from the device or any bite marks. After a few days, you won't need these as you will be used to the appliance.
At first, it may be difficult to chew. You will get used to it and be able to chew as usual in around four days to a week. Your dentist may suggest softer and small foods to make it easier while adjusting.
Your cheeks might be sore and appear a little swollen. The discomfort should go away after a few days, and the puffiness will go down after a few weeks.
The MARA treatment takes around 15 months, and an additional brace will take about eight months.

3 Benefits of Functional and Orthopaedic Appliances

Functional and orthopaedic appliances aid in oral development. The boxes below list a few of the most common reasons the dentist encourages these treatments.

Guides and Modifies Jaw Growth

Early intervention means your child's Harris Park dentist can guide and modify jaw growth to help prevent functional complications.

Creates Space for Permanent Teeth

Appliance therapy for children can help prevent overcrowding and teeth erupting incorrectly, especially when baby teeth are lost too early.

Improves Bite Function and Oral Health

Functional issues can exacerbate problems with bite function. An aligned and functional bite aids in development and overall dental health.

Our Team

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Dr Elie Alam

Dr Alam graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Sydney in 1995. After working at various practices, Dr Alam opened his own practice in 1997 in Harris Park Village, located on the edge of the vibrant Parramatta CBD under the banner of Painfree Dentistry. The practice has grown to become the biggest privately owned practice in the Parramatta district, with seven dentists, an oral health therapist, and many supporting staff.

Dr Alam is passionate about learning innovations and using the latest technologies. With an increasing focus spanning ...

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What Is a Twin Block?

dentist in parramatta | child smiling

At Painfree Dentistry in Parramatta, we also offer the twin block treatment to treat children and teenagers. A twin block aligns the lower and upper jaws using removable upper and lower places. A twin block is an appliance designed to wear full time, and it guides the lower jaw into the correct position, thus correcting the patient's bite. A twin block can also prevent the overcrowding of teeth.

How Does a Twin Block Work?

Many patients wear a twin block nine to 12 months before getting fitted for braces. The dentist will place a block behind the upper front teeth and another behind the lower front teeth. The two parts will come together, aligning the jaw's position. Most patients experience immediate improvement, which is permanent after a few months.

Benefits of a Twin Block

Comfortable – These devices are comfortable for patients to wear all the time.
Fast results – Most patients experience a quick correction. When wearing the device, patients can see the difference, and the change will be permanent.
Bite correction – A twin block fixes incorrect bite cases.
Arch control – A twin block offers control of the arch form.

Things You Should Know About a Twin Block

Patients must wear a twin block 24/7 for 12–24 months for optimal results. You should remove the appliance only when cleaning your teeth or participating in sports or other physical activities. Once jaw alignment has been corrected, many patients wear them for 12 hours daily as a retainer until permanent teeth emerge.
Eating with the twin block in your mouth is best, but you can remove it briefly.
Patients can safely wear a twin block during sleep, as this appliance is designed for 24-hour comfort.
You must keep the twin block clean by brushing and rinsing the appliance. Brushing should occur after meals, and the blocks should be cleaned in a glass of water for around 15 minutes every few days.
Twin blocks need to be checked every two to three months.
At first, the twin block may feel uncomfortable to the teeth and jaws, but this discomfort usually goes away in a few days. A twin block may affect your speech when you wear it, but it will also likely improve.
It will take time for the plates to work. Try to be patient and follow your dentist's instructions to have the best possible outcome for your unique case.

We Invite You to Choose Painfree Dentistry in Parramatta

We invite you to contact us today to arrange a consultation.

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