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. Headgear creates forces that guide the growth of the face and jaws. It also is used to move teeth into better positions or to prevent teeth from moving. 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.

Care for the Headgear:

A storage case will be provided for your headgear appliance. Always keep the appliance in the case when not in use. Also, a scorecard is provided to keep track of the hours of wear and should be kept in the case. Always bring the headgear to your appointments so that it may be checked or adjusted. The neck pad or strap can be detached from the force modules and can be hand or machine-washed. Ask Dr. Heller or an assistant if you need help with any aspect of headgear use.

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