Forms of Headgear Treatment
Headgear needs to be worn approximately 12-16 hours each day to be effective in correcting the overbite, typically for 1 to 1.5 years depending on the severity of the overbite, how much it is worn and how much a patient is growing.
Orthodontic headgear will usually consist of three major components:
- Facebow: first, the facebow (or J-Hooks) is fitted with a metal arch onto headgear tubes attached to the rear upper and lower molars. This facebow then extends out of the mouth and around the face. J-Hooks are different in that they hook into the patients mouth and attach directly to the brace (see photo for example of J-Hooks).
- Head cap: the second component is the head cap, which consists of a number of straps fitting around the head. This is attached with elastic bands or springs to the facebow. Additional straps and attachments are used to ensure comfort and safety (see photo).
- Attachment: the third and final component – typically consisting of rubber bands, elastics, or springs – joins the facebow or J-Hooks and the head cap together, providing the force to move the teeth backwards.
Soreness of teeth when chewing or when the teeth touch is typical. Teenagers usually feel the soreness to 2 to 3 hours later, but younger patients tend to react sooner, (e.g., 1 to 1 1⁄2 hours). Headgear is one of the most useful appliances available to the orthodontist.
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