Orthodontic headgear is an appliance that creates pressure in order to change the growth of the face, and jaws to help correct more severe malocclusions. The most common types of headgear are Hook and Facebow. If your dentist recommends the use of headgear He will choose the style based on the type of jaw or face growth that needs to be corrected.
Headgear is most commonly used in patients who are still growing, in order to influence the growth pattern. The most frequent use of headgear is to correct a severe overbite by holding back the growth of the upper jaw until the lower jaw catches up. Headgear is used in conjunction with braces, and attached to the braces with hooks or a facebow. It is then anchored to the back of the head with straps.
Headgear can also be used to treat an underbite. While an underbite is less common than an overbite, it can cause even more serious problems. This headgear is sometimes referred to as reverse pull, and as the name implies its purpose is to pull the upper jaw foreword until it catches up to the size of the lower jaw.
In addition, headgear is sometimes prescribed for adults. Although they are finished growing, so that can’t be influenced, sometimes when teeth have been extracted and the front teeth are being pulled back, headgear is used to anchor the back teeth to prevent them from moving forward.
Although headgear often makes your teeth tender at first, always wear it as directed by your dentist. Usually the worst of the soreness will pass in a few days, but if you keep taking your headgear off and not wearing it as instructed that will prolong the soreness by preventing your teeth from adjusting to it. Headgear only works if you wear it, so if you would like to finish this phase of treatment quickly, follow your dentist’s instructions carefully.
Typically, your dentist will instruct you to wear your headgear between eight and fourteen hours per day. Luckily much of this time is while you are asleep. If your headgear disturbs your sleep there are special pillows available with an opening to accommodate your headgear.
At Aesthetic Dentistry of Arrowhead Dr. Ceyhan understands that patients dislike wearing headgear, and will only use it when absolutely necessary. When headgear is necessary, it is to attempt to prevent the need for painful surgery later on.
The staff at Aesthetic Dentistry of Arrowhead is highly experienced and Dr. Ceyhan has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education while teaching at the Midwestern University School of Dental Medicine in order to bring you the most up to the minute treatments available.