Headgear
Headgear is a strap around the head or neck that attaches to the upper back teeth with a bow of wire. Headgear is often used to correct an excessive overjet at the upper teeth. This is done by placing pressure against the upper teeth and jaw, which would hold the teeth in position or help move them into better positions. Headgear is typically worn 10-12 hours per day, usually starting at about 7pm through the night. The severity of the problem and growth determine the number of months headgear needs to be worn. The key to success with your headgear appliance is consistency. Headgear must be worn consistently each night to achieve the desired change.
Headgear should never be worn while playing sports and should also be remove while eating or brushing your teeth.
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Reverse Headgear or Facemask
In some cases where an underbite (lower front teeth ahead of the upper front teeth) is present, we may recommend using reverse headgear (facemask) as part of the treatment plan. This appliance is designed to fix the discrepancy between your upper and lower jaws by moving the upper jaw forward to correct the malocclusion.
For the results to be successful, patient compliance is of the upmost importance. It may take several days to become accustomed to the appliance. With practice, it will become easier to place and remove the reverse headgear. We will determine the length of time you should wear your headgear, but it is generally 10-14 hours per day, which can include wearing while you sleep. You should not wear your headgear while participating in sporting activities.
Sometimes your chin may get irritated from the headgear. If this happens, you should always keep the area clean and often change the insert in the chin cup. If the skin becomes very dry, the use of moisturizing cream twice a day can be helpful. If you jaw joints are extremely sore or you cannot open and close your mouth without difficulty, stop wearing the appliance and contact us for further instructions as we may need to fit you a different appliance. Also, if your headgear breaks or is bent, call us so we can fit you in with a repair appointment so your treatment will not be delayed.
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Herbst
One of the most common problems orthodontists treat is the discrepancy that occurs when the upper teeth protrude beyond the lower. Ordinarily, when we see a patient with the upper teeth protruding, we tend to think that the upper jaw and teeth are too far forward; but, more often than not, this condition is due to a small lower jaw that is further back than it should be. With these patients, we would like to encourage the lower jaw to catch up in growth, and braces along with the Herbst appliance help this happen.
The Herbst appliance holds the lower jaw forward. Opening and closing movement still occur easily, and patients do not have any problems learning to chew their food with their lower jaw in this new position.
As with all kinds of braces, patients with Herbst appliances need to be careful about what they eat. For instance, food that can’t be chewed well should be cut into small pieces. Sticky foods such as caramels, bubble gum and candy suckers will pull the brace away from the teeth. Hard foods like crisp vegetables and hard candies will bend and loosen the Herbst appliance, too. So stay away from these foods during your orthodontic treatment.
Your Herbst appliance will be checked and adjusted at your appointments. If you develop some sore areas on the inside of your cheeks, please do not try to adjust the appliance yourself. Call for an appointment so that the necessary adjustments can be made.
At first, your mouth will fell unusually full and speaking may be awkward at first. If you practice reading aloud, your ordinary speech will return quickly. You may also notice more saliva than normal, but this will decreases as you become accustomed to the appliance.
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Elastics
Rubber bands are commonly used and create specific force directions and amounts to move teeth into position. To move teeth effectively, full time (>90%) wear is required. Inconsistent elastic wear will not move teeth. Specific wear instructions must be followed to make desired progress.
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Jaw Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) treats and corrects abnormalities of the facial bones, specifically the jaws and the teeth. Often, theses abnormalities cause difficulty associated with chewing, talking, sleeping and other routine activities. Orthognathic surgery corrects these problems and, in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, will improve the overall appearance of the facial profile.
We work directly with an excellent team of surgeons. Using the latest in digital imaging technology, you will see the overall functional and aesthetic benefits of orthognathic surgery. State-of-the-art materials such as titanium plates and miniature screws provide stability, strength and predictability to your treatment. These advances in technology, procedures and equipment reduce post-surgical recovery time, thus allowing patients to return to their normal routines soon after the surgery.
Orthognathic surgery may be unnecessary if orthodontic treatment can correct the problem. With the latest advances in orthodontics, this is sometimes the case. We will determine if orthognathic surgery is the correct treatment option for you.
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