mykie®
Definition
What is mykie®?
mykie® – short for myofunctional orthodontics – is an innovative concept for early treatment that has been developed specifically for children of primary school age. It combines preventive orthodontics with myofunctional therapy (MFT) in a unique way and takes a holistic approach: The focus is not only on the position of the teeth or the shape of the jaw, but also on the functional interaction of all structures involved in the mouth and facial region.
The key insight: function shapes structure. A permanently impaired oral function – caused, for example, by incorrect tongue position, mouth breathing, or unfavorable swallowing patterns – can negatively influence the healthy development of teeth, jaws, and face. This is exactly where mykie® comes in.
Individually tailored therapy modules are used to support and guide the child’s natural growth in a targeted manner – gently, sustainably, and without unnecessary stress. The aim is to identify and effectively correct underlying muscular dysfunctions at an early stage in order to minimize or even completely avoid orthodontic treatment later on.
Unlike conventional treatment methods, mykie® focuses not only on visible malocclusions, but also on their causes. This makes the concept particularly effective – and particularly useful for the healthy, long-term development of tooth position, jaw shape, and facial growth.
Differences
What distinguishes mykie® from traditional orthodontics?
Unlike conventional orthodontic treatment, which often begins in the teenage years and focuses primarily on moving teeth, mykie® starts much earlier and takes a more comprehensive approach. The concept recognizes functional causes as a key factor in healthy development and treats them specifically before structural malformations become established.
This makes mykie® not only effective in preventing problems, but also sustainable, as it works at the root of the problem. Treatment is closely coordinated with myofunctional therapists, speech therapists, and other medical specialists. This interdisciplinary approach ensures a deeper understanding of each child’s individual development and enables targeted, holistically coordinated therapy steps.
Admittedly, the effort required is higher. mykie® requires time, active participation from parents, and careful coordination between all parties involved. In return, the concept offers the chance to avoid later, often much more extensive interventions—and lays the foundation for healthy development right from the start.
Since mykie® aims to ensure early, causally oriented, and holistic support for children’s jaw and facial development, the concept focuses on a preventive approach—even before malocclusions requiring treatment in the traditional sense are present. This forward-looking treatment approach is currently only included in the list of services covered by public health insurance in exceptional cases, based on clearly defined criteria.
The mykie® therapy is therefore not based on formal regulations, but on what is medically appropriate, beneficial to the child’s development, and stable in the long term.
Explanation
Myofunctional disorders:
Myofunctional disorders describe disturbances in the interaction of the mouth and facial muscles, particularly affecting the tongue, lips, and jaw. Typical examples include a permanently incorrect tongue position (e.g., the tongue lies mainly on the floor of the mouth instead of on the palate), an unphysiological swallowing pattern, or a preference for mouth breathing instead of nasal breathing.
Constant mouth breathing, for example, also causes the mouth to remain open. This leads to persistent muscular strain in the lip and cheek area, which over time affects the growth of the jawbone. This can result in unfavorable changes to the shape of the jaw and facial features.
Such deviations not only affect speech and breathing, but also have a significant impact on the growth of the jaw, teeth, and face. Since muscles and bones interact closely, malfunction can lead to jaw misalignment, crowded teeth, or malocclusion in the long term.
The causes are manifold—from early childhood habits such as thumb sucking to enlarged tonsils and difficult breastfeeding. If left untreated, myofunctional disorders often go undetected and can have a lasting impact on healthy development.
This is where mykie® therapy comes in: it identifies these functional disorders at an early stage and helps to restore natural movement and posture patterns before structural changes occur.