Braces Headgear

Headgear is used for patients that have overbites that cannot be corrected by the use of just braces and rubber bands / elastics.  The gear attached to the head and works to stop the growth of the upper jaw, while waiting for the lower jaw to catch up.  This is usually used for kids and teenagers as they experience growth spurts.

The headgear can be worn to bed and during the day to control the overbite from getting worse and actually corrected it.  You may notice some pain and discomfort, however it is usually minimum and worth the end result.

With the use of rubber bands / elastics the overbite can also be corrected.   In most cases combinational treatment using headgear and elastics will be used to control the overbite.  If the over bite is so severe that neither treatment works, then jaw surgery is usually the only option.

Surgery should be the last resort for most patients if getting treatment at a young age.  Older patients with an overbite have already experienced the growth and headgear would not be a good option.  Combination braces and jaw surgery are usually the best option.