This is one a patient of Dr. Wright's wearing the herbst appliance. This is an orthopedic appliance
designed to affect the growth and development of a of a smaller lower jaw.
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Ben wearing the Herbst appliance.
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Ben's profile before wearing the Herbst appliance. Notice that his chin is smaller.
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Ben after the Herbst appliance has been removed. Notice how his lower jaw and chin have grown forward.
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Ben has answered a few questions you might have about this appliance.
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How long did it take you to get used to this appliance?
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Did any of your friends notice the appliance?
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Did the appliance hurt while in your mouth?
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Was it hard to eat with the appliance in your mouth?
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About 1 week.
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No, not unless I showed them.
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No.
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No.
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One of the most common problems orthodontists treat is the discrepancy that occurs when the upper teeth protrude beyond the lower. Ordinarily, when we see a patient with the upper teeth protruding, we tend to think that the upper jaw and teeth are too far forward; but, more often than not, this condition is due to a small lower jaw that is further back than it should be. With these patients, we would like to encourage the lower jaw to catch up in growth, and braces like the Herbst appliance help this happen.
Even though the Herbst appliance prevents the lower jaw from moving backward, opening and closing movement still occur easily, and patients do not have any problems learning to chew their food with their lower jaw in this new position.
As with all kinds of braces, patients with Herbst appliances need to be careful about what they eat. For instance, cold foods such as ice slushes, Popsicles and ice will freeze the cement and make the brace loosen. Sticky foods such as caramels, bubble gum and candy suckers will pull the brace away from the teeth. Hard foods like crisp vegetables and hard candies will bend and loosen the Herbst appliance, too. So stay away from these foods during your orthodontic treatment.
Your Herbst appliance will be checked and adjusted at your appointments. If, sometimes between appointments, you develop some sore areas on the inside of your cheeks, please do not try to adjust the appliance yourself. Call for an appointment so that the necessary adjustments can be made.
Wearing a Herbst Appliance
At first, your mouth will feel unusually full and speaking will be awkward. But if you practice reading aloud, your ordinary speech will return quickly. You may also notice more saliva than normal, but this will decrease as you become accustomed to the appliance.