What If Your Orthodontist Recommends Headgear?

The most feared word that an orthodontist can utter to a teenager is "headgear." Everyone has seen movies where the unpopular student is mocked for having to strap a device that resembles something out of a medieval torture chamber around their head. So why do some teens still have to be subjected to such torment? Is it really necessary in this day and age with the advent of invisible braces and specialized surgeries? 

If your orthodontist has suggested headgear, there is probably a very good reason. It's often a last resort and used only when other methods will fail. The most common reason to recommend headgear is severe overjets. An overjet is when the top teeth don't evenly bite against the bottom because they are thrust further outward than the lower jaw. The condition is often confused with an overbite, and while generally both will be present, one refers to the horizontal distance while the other to vertical. Most people will have mild overbites or overjets, but more than a few millimeters can result in an increased risk of tooth trauma and an overall much less aesthetically pleasing smile. 

So what causes severe overjet in some patients? Extreme discrepancy in growth rates between the upper and lower jaw is the most common reason for this problem. The opposite can also be true and create an underjet, which would be treated in much the same way by an orthodontist, through the use of specialty headgear. The headgear is designed to hold the jaw firmly in place, preventing it from growing too fast which would increase the distance between the jaws. Headgear may also be used in cases of tooth extraction where other teeth begin to slide out of place, closing the freshly made gaps. In these instances, the orthodontic device helps anchor the teeth during the healing process. 

Due to the discomfort of wearing the device as well as the fear of ridicule among peers, many teenagers try to refuse treatment. Delaying the procedure can result in much more expensive and dangerous surgery in adulthood. It is far easier for an orthodontist to successfully treat problems while the teeth and bones are still growing and can be manipulated. Although headgear must be worn for ten to sixteen hours out of the day, full results can be seen within six months to a year, whereas some teens must wear traditional metal braces for two or more years. 

While it may not be a pleasant few months, wearing headgear temporarily is much more beneficial than having to deal with jaw and tooth problems into adulthood or risking expensive surgery. To minimize distress, the device can be implemented during the start of a school vacation so that the child may adjust to their new appearance, better preparing them to deal with the social issues that may arise once school begins again. While there is always the potential for bullying or teasing, the same could arise with a severely deformed bite that was left untreated.