Henry Schein Orthodontics (HSO), the orthodontics division of Henry Schein, Inc., has announced the availability of Froggymouth®, a myofunctional device intended to support the management of orofacial dysfunctions. Manufactured by Biotech Dental Smilers, the device is now accessible through Henry Schein Dental in the United States.
Froggymouth is designed to be incorporated into comprehensive care approaches that consider functional contributors to malocclusion. Its use may support efforts to address swallowing dysfunctions as part of broader orthodontic and dental treatment planning.
"We are excited to bring Froggymouth to orthodontic and dental professionals through Henry Schein," said Zachary Meli, Vice President and General Manager at HSO. "Addressing dysfunctional swallowing patterns is an important, and often overlooked, component of comprehensive orthodontic care. Froggymouth offers clinicians a passive device based on published scientific literature that’s simple for patients to use and may contribute to improving long-term outcomes — and we are proud to make it accessible through our trusted distribution network."
Passive Modality for Swallowing Rehabilitation
Froggymouth is described as a passive functional rehabilitation device intended to support the correction of dysfunctional swallowing patterns without requiring active muscular exercises. The device is worn for approximately 15 minutes per day, often during sedentary activities. Its mechanism is characterized as a staged process involving inhibition of dysfunctional swallowing habits, salivary accumulation prompting swallowing, facilitation of a more physiological swallowing pattern, and reinforcement of this pattern over time. Repeated use may contribute to neuromuscular re-education and improved resting tongue posture.
The device was developed in 2011 by Patrick Fellus, an orthodontist affiliated with Robert Debré Hospital in Paris. Its development draws on principles of orofacial functional rehabilitation and neurophysiology, with reference to published literature in areas such as orofacial myofunctional therapy.
Use in Conjunction with Orthodontic Treatment
Froggymouth may be used alongside active orthodontic treatment modalities, including aligner-based therapy and fixed appliances. Concurrent use is intended to address functional factors that may contribute to malocclusion. Integration with digital orthodontic workflows, including the Smilers® platform, has also been described.
In a reported study, 85.7% of patients treated with Carriere™ Motion® in combination with Froggymouth developed a correct swallowing pattern within approximately four months.
Froggymouth is classified as a Class I medical device and is intended for prescription and supervision by a licensed healthcare professional. Treatment duration may vary depending on individual patient needs, with typical use ranging from two to six months.
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Froggymouth®
