HEADGEAR
What is Headgear?
Headgear is an amazing appliance that uses the shape of your head and gentle forces to guide the growth of the jaw. Treatment time is sped up when worn every night for 12-14 hours (Yay!)
Instructions for wear:
Practice placing your headgear in front of a mirror. Soon, with practice, you will be able to place and remove it without a mirror.
- Week 1:
Start with wearing 2-3 hours prior to bedtime, to get used to placing and wearing it.
- After That:
Wear it while sleeping (8-10 hours), working up to 12-14 hours a day.
Importance of Compliance:
Forgetting to wear your headgear or not getting enough hours wearing your headgear could result in longer treatment time, changing your treatment plan and may even affect the final results.
What to Expect:
Some soreness to the teeth once worn is up to 8-10 hours, probably lasting 2-3 days, but consistency is the key to success and comfort. An over-the-counter pain reliever, like ibuprofen, can help with soreness.
Some difficulty sleeping at first. Try placing 2 pillows around your face/headgear to be more comfortable. We suggest starting on a Friday or Saturday night. Discomfort will pass with consistent wear, within the first week.
How to take care of your Headgear:
Clean:
Brush the metal piece (facebow) with your toothbrush daily.
Storage:
Keep all the pieces in the headgear case when not in use and away from pets and small children. There could be an additional charge if lost or broken.