Growth Modification

Headgear

The growth of the jaws can be modified by your orthodontist. Growth modification is accomplished by applying pressure to the jaw(s) with headgear. Headgear is an extra oral (outside the mouth) appliance that connects directly to the braces and is worn after school and when sleeping. You are able to take the headgear off and on. Headgear can be used to correct overbites or under bites and the type of headgear and direction of force depends on how your teeth and jaws relate. The headgear to correct an overbite will have a strap that is placed around the back of head and attached to a metal wire in front. The headgear to correct an under bite fits on the face and is connected to the braces with rubber bands. The length of time that headgear is needed depends on many factors including: the growth pattern, the rate of growth of the patient, amount of correction required, and the consistency of wear/amount of time worn per day.

Wearing Headgear

The headgear will take some getting used to and may seem difficult to sleep with and or make your teeth a little sore in the beginning. Don’t be discouraged! Just like your braces, the headgear may be awkward at first but within a week you will be able to wear it and sleep with it without problems. Plan to wear your headgear 12 to 14 hours a day. Be consistent. Wear your headgear after school and when sleeping. Keep track of the number of hours worn with your headgear chart. Bring your headgear and chart to your appointments. Never wear your headgear when playing sports or “horsing around” as injury could occur.

Herbst Appliance

The Herbst appliance will help to correct overbites in growing patients with short lower jaws. The Herbst appliance is considered a functional appliance; it is fit to the teeth and positions the lower jaw in correct alignment. In addition to moving the lower jaw forward it can move the upper molars backward. The Herbst appliance is custom made by our dental laboratory to fit your mouth. The Herbst appliance stays in place 9 – 12 months

Forsus

In our office the forsus appliance is used near the end of treatment for minor overbite correction. The appliance is similar to the Herbst appliance with rods and tubes but is attached directly to the existing braces. The forsus stays in place 3-4 months.

Maxillary Expansion

Maxillary expansion refers to a widening of the upper jaw or maxilla. When the upper jaw is too narrow to fit properly with the lower jaw an expansion appliance can be fit to the upper teeth to expand or widen the top jaw. This procedure will correct a cross bite and provide room for teeth that are crowded. A custom expander is made by our laboratory to fit your mouth. The expander is typically turned or activated once a day at home by a parent. The number of turns depends on your particular bite. Expansion of the upper jaw is usually accomplished in 4 weeks and the expander remains in the mouth 3 to 4 months to allow the correction to become stable. After that time the expander is removed and braces are placed on the back teeth to finish treatment.