Headgear creates the gentle pressure needed to move teeth into their proper places. This appliance rests partly outside the mouth to guide the growth of the face and jaw. Our doctors provide these special tools when braces alone cannot fully correct a bite or improve jaw alignment. Explore our treatment hub to see how we use various tools to help you. Our team works to tailor a program that meets your unique needs. We enable you to achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.
Orthodontic Headgear Basics
Sometimes teeth require extra support to reach the ideal position. Headgear helps manage growth issues in the jaws during early treatment or adolescent treatment. It can also help during adult treatment to maintain correct tooth spacing. We guide you through every step of this process. You will learn exactly how to wear and care for your appliance. Success depends on your commitment to the plan we craft together.
Common Headgear Styles
One frequent choice is cervical pull headgear. It uses a U-shaped wire that connects to your back teeth and a strap around the neck. High-pull headgear is similar but features a strap that rests over the head. These tools often help correct a large overbite. They hold back the upper jaw so the rest of the mouth can align correctly. Most patients wear these styles for 12 to 14 hours each day.
Another option is the facemask or reverse-pull headgear. This tool usually corrects an underbite. It gently moves the upper jaw forward to match the lower jaw. The frame rests on the forehead and chin while elastics connect to the braces. You might wear this for 14 to 16 hours daily to inspire the best results.
Your Role in Orthodontic Treatment
You are a vital member of our team. Following the wearing schedule is the most important part of your care. Missing even one night can slow your progress significantly. If you miss time at night, you must make it up during the day. Consistent wear ensures your teeth and jaws move as planned.
New appliances often cause minor discomfort at first. This feeling usually fades within a few days if you wear the headgear faithfully. You may choose a soft diet from our list of foods to avoid to stay comfortable. Some soreness in the back teeth is a normal sign that the tool is working. Contact us if you experience sharp pain or if a band feels loose. We are always here to help with orthodontic emergencies.
Care and safety
Proper cleaning keeps your appliance working efficiently. We will show you how to put the headgear on safely during your first visit. Always bring your headgear to every appointment. Take it off before playing sports or during rough play. This protects both the appliance and your smile. We believe a healthy smile brings confidence for a lifetime. Our staff is ready to provide the support you need to succeed.
Request an AppointmentOrthodontic Headgear Reviews
Great experience at Mack Orthodontics! I felt like the team listened to and addressed my concerns, and explained things well. I am so happy with how my smile looks and how much better my bite feels. Highly recommend.
Dr. Mack is one of a kind! He cares about his patients and makes sure everything is going well with your braces.His crew are just as friendly and concerned on how your progress is coming.If and when you need braces, Mack Orthodontics is a phenomenal place to get your teeth straightened!!!
I had a great experience with Mack Orthodontics! Everyone I interacted with was really kind and friendly, and they made everything seamless and quick - and I was a totally new patient! Definitely recommend!
We love Mack Orthodontics!Our family has multiple children going through treatment here, and we have consistently had a wonderful experience. The customer service is truly top notch.One time, one of our children had a severe allergic reaction to a lip gloss, causing significant swelling of the lips. It had nothing to do with Mack Orthodontics, but because of the braces, the swelling caused the inside of the lips to become very irritated and painful. We reached out simply looking for suggestions, and the office responded immediately. They had a bag of wax ready for us to quickly pick up before school, and then they even texted a few days later to check on how things were improving.That meant so much to us. It showed that they donāt just care about providing orthodontic treatment. They genuinely care about their patients as people.Every time we walk into either the Bettendorf or Eldridge location, the staff is welcoming and friendly. We also love that both locations share the same staff, which makes each office feel familiar and comfortable. Their early morning and later appointment options are incredibly helpful for busy school and activity schedules.We cannot recommend Mack Orthodontics enough!
The crew at Mack Orthodontics is always a pleasure to work with! š
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