Orthodontic Headgear
Though orthodontic headgear may look archaic, this apparatus is necessary in order to ensure that teeth grow properly.
Being told that you must wear braces is frightening enough, but being handed a large metal device that hooks around your jaw line is downright terrifying. Still, there is nothing to fret about once you understand what orthodontic headgear is used for. Essentially, those wearing braces do so in order to correct their teeth. Sometimes, headgear must be worn (usually at night) in order to ensure that teeth do not grow in a crooked manner.
This type of dental corrective gear is usually attached to the brace through hooks or through a facebrow that is held with straps or a head-cap. Sometimes, both straps and a head-cap are necessary in order to prevent teeth from protruding. Technically, this type of mechanism actually keeps the jaw from growing, which is why it is usually only given to children. Occasionally, a type of gear called a “face mask” is used to correct reverse overjets, though this is not always necessary.
Most of the time, a person that must wear orthodontic headgear is given a number of different things that go along with it. For example, a dentist may give a patient power chains, coil springs, twin blocks, plates, retainers, a headgear helmet, lip bumpers, palate expanders, elastics, bionaters, position retainers, and many other types of additives. While some patients must wear all of this stuff at once, most people only have to wear a few of these things at one time.
If your dentist has handed you a ton of different items that are to be used in conjunction with your braces, do not worry. Unless told otherwise, you can wear these things at night while you are sleeping. Today, there is really no need to go out in public wearing a large amount of brace supporters, though those with severely damaged teeth may have to go this route.
When it comes down to it, orthodontic headgear is just another part of getting those perfect teeth. Though you may not love the idea of attaching all kinds of metal to your jaw, it is necessary. Ask your dentist how long you have to wear your headgear, and whether you can get away with wearing it at night only. Still concerned? You’ll soon find out that you have nothing to fear at all once you become used to these new additions to your teeth.