Orthodontic Headgear The headgear or
night-brace is one of the older orthodontic appliances still in use today. It continues to be used because it is very effective when worn as instructed. There are two types of headgear, the cervical pull,
which pulls from behind the neck and the high pull that pulls from the top of the head. There is also the combi type that pulls from both places at the same time. The primary effect of headgear is to
restrict growth of the upper jaw (maxilla). Parts of the appliance: Facebow
– has two parts, the inner bow that fits into tubes on braces and the outer bow that connects to the force modules.Force modules
– connect to the outer bow and the neck pad or strap and provide the pull that acts on the upper jaw. Neck pad or Strap
– secures the appliance in place and provides the resistance for the pull of the force modules. Instructions for wear: You will be shown how to put on the headgear at your appointment. The headgear is to be worn a minimum of 12 –14 hours each day. While
wear at school is not required, remember that the more hours of wear the faster the improvement. It should not be worn during rough play or sports. It has a safety feature built in to the force
modules that cause them to break away if too much pressure is applied. This should prevent injury to the mouth, face, or eyes if one attempts to pull out the facebow without detaching it first. Falling
asleep may be difficult at first. Try to wear it at least a few hours before going to bed. The teeth will be a little sore the first couple times you wear it. This soreness will go away as
long as you wear the headgear every day. Remember – if you can't sleep with it on, you will have to make up those hours during the day. |
