PURPOSE FOR THE HEADGEAR:
Our purpose in orthodontics is to make the teeth move to the proper position. In some situations it is necessary to move the front teeth back. This is accomplished by either pulling directly against the front teeth with a headgear or pulling against the back teeth. When pulling against the back teeth, these teeth have a tendency to move forward, which can ruin the relation of the back teeth. Movement of the front teeth must be attained without moving the back teeth. Another reason headgear is worn is to move the teeth farther back in the mouth to make the relation of the back teeth as it should be. For either of the above two reasons, the following steps must be taken:

1. Getting used to your headgear.

The appliance should be placed on the teeth as you were instructed in the office and worn until the teeth become sore. Then take off the headgear for 15 to 30 minutes. Put the headgear back on and again wear it until the teeth become sore. This procedure is repeated until it is possible to wear the headgear for several hours without it being necessary to remove it for a rest period. You should not attempt to put on the headgear to wear it to bed initially. The beginning wearing periods are to be during the day at a convenient time, such as after school.

2. Soreness is normal when first starting your headgear.

Everyone experiences some discomfort at first just the same as when you begin exercising muscles when you are not used to it. Soreness will go away when you have built up to 5 to 6 hours of wear per day.

3. After building up to 4 to 5 hours of wear without a rest period, begin sleeping in your headgear.

For the first week after beginning this schedule, we recommend only sleeping in the headgear - no daytime wear. In order to be successful with the nighttime headgear wear, you must learn to sleep on your back or only slightly on your side.

Try not to take the headgear off while sleeping.

You should strive to wear the headgear every night, all night!

4. We give you one month to build up wearing time of the headgear to a minimum of eight hours while you sleep. Our requirement for most individuals, unless told otherwise, is to be successfully wearing the headgear 10-12 hours per day by the end of the second month.

5. Never go a complete 24-hour period without wearing the headgear at least some period of time.

For each day or wearing period that is completely missed, the progress of moving teeth is delayed by four days!

6. After the initial break-in period, the headgear should be worn
10-12 hours per day unless otherwise instructed.

7. When removing the facebow type of headgear, do not attempt to wiggle the facebow up and down. This can result in breakage. To remove properly, pull the facebow straight out. If this is difficult, pull gently on one side of the facebow.

8. Never attempt to adjust your headgear yourself. If you find it is difficult to place or move your headgear, please call for an appointment.