Orthodontic headgear is a specialized appliance used to correct significant alignment problems in teeth and jaws, particularly in growing children. It fixes malocclusion by placing gentle pressure on your child's teeth and jaws.
Understanding the Mechanism
Headgear works primarily by applying controlled force to specific teeth and parts of the jaw. This force is transmitted through various attachments that connect the headgear to the patient's mouth, typically via braces or other orthodontic appliances.
Gentle Pressure for Alignment
The core principle is the application of gentle pressure. This isn't the rapid, forceful movement often associated with braces; instead, it's a consistent, light pressure applied over many hours each day. This sustained pressure encourages biological changes in the bone and ligaments supporting the teeth and jaw.
Influencing Jaw Growth
A key aspect of headgear's effectiveness, as highlighted by the reference, is its impact on still-forming jaw bones. For children and adolescents whose bones are still developing, headgear can:
- Restrict unwanted forward growth of the upper jaw.
- Encourage forward growth of the lower jaw.
- Move teeth into desired positions within the jaw arches.
Over time, this gentle pressure applied to the teeth and jaws encourages their still-forming jaw bones to align, correcting discrepancies between the upper and lower jaws and improving the bite.
How Headgear is Used
Headgear is typically worn for a specific number of hours per day, often primarily during sleeping hours and while at home, as directed by the orthodontist. Consistency is crucial for success. The type of headgear used depends on the specific malocclusion being treated.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Facebow | Connects to molars in the mouth. |
| Outer Bow | Extends from the mouth outside the face. |
| Neck Strap / Head Cap | Anchors the outer bow, providing resistance and direction for the force. |
Through the interplay of these components, headgear applies directed force, utilizing the head or neck as an anchor point to achieve the desired tooth and jaw movements and fix malocclusion.
