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How Long Do You Wear a Herbst Appliance?

Dental care is an important part of raising children. They must be trained in healthy habits, taught how to brush their teeth and floss, and occasionally, their teeth must be straightened. Braces are a well-known device to solve crooked teeth, but many people don't realize that some problems are caused by crooked jaws instead. This might seem like a big problem, but something called the Herbst Appliance can help straighten jaws out in little more than a year.

  1. Function

    • A Herbst appliance works by attaching to each jaw individually, then connecting the two by a tube. By adjusting the tube, the orthodontist is able to control the jaw's position in relation to the upper teeth. Finally, springs connected to the tube allow the mouth to open and shut with ease, but following the new, healthy path. Over time, the mouth adjusts to this change and, when the Herbst appliance is taken out, the mouth will no longer have an overbite.

    Time Frame

    • Everyone's mouth is different, which means that everyone responds to treatment differently. It's important to keep this in mind and always refer to the advice of the orthodontist. In general, the Herbst appliance is worn for a minimum of 12 months, according to BracePlace.com. After it is removed, braces are usually placed into the mouth to help complete the tooth alignment. This is considered part of the treatment, so patients should allow for two years to correct this problem, according to ThinkQuest.com.

    Herbst Adjustment

    • Having the Herbst appliance in the mouth can feel weird at first. The ability to move the jaws from side-to-side is decreased, for example. Sometimes, the appliance can scrape against the sides of the mouth, making them feel raw. All of this is normal and the best way to help the jaw adjust to the appliance is to relax! Many patients unknowingly fight against the appliance, according to ThinkQuest.com, making their jaws sore. Given enough time, the lining on the cheeks will toughen and the jaw will feel comfortable again. If the pain persists for longer than a week, however, you should be sure to contact your orthodontist.

    Considerations

    • As with most dental equipment, it's important to be careful which foods the patient consumes while the Herbst appliance is inside his mouth. Many foods can damage the equipment or stick to the appliance, which can lead to serious gum and tooth problems. Your orthodontist can provide a complete list, but a good rule of thumb is to avoid all hard, sticky, chewy, or crunchy foods. Examples of these include many candies, gum, ice, hard vegetables and fruits, and popcorn.

    Conclusion

    • Maintaining good dental hygiene and habits is an important part of oral health. Once the Herbst appliance and braces have been removed, these habits will help ensure that your smile will remain healthy and beautiful. Not only can the Herbst appliance provide a better smile, it will make it easier to chew foods.

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