How do I know if I need headgear?

Headgear is typically recommended for children whose jaw bones are still growing. Unlike braces, headgear is worn partially outside of the mouth. An orthodontist may recommend headgear for your child if their bite is severely out of alignment. An unaligned bite is called a malocclusion.

How many months do you wear headgear?

The answer will depend very much on what type of problem is being corrected, but, in most cases, headgear is worn 12-22 hours per day for 12-18 months. If the appliance is not worn at least 10 hours per day, there will be little progress but the hours spent wearing headgear do not need to be constant.

What is underbite?

An underbite is a dental condition where your lower teeth extend farther than your upper teeth.

Can Underbites be fixed?

Most certified oral surgeons are able to successfully correct underbites. Several common types of surgery to correct underbite include reshaping to lengthen the upper jaw or shorten the lower jaw.

At what age do you correct an underbite?

Why? Early treatment (aka Phase 1 treatment) between the ages of 7 and 10 may be most effective at correcting this bite. Widening the upper jaw at a young age can allow for the permanent teeth to erupt in a better position than they otherwise would have.

Can you fix underbite without surgery?

As a general rule, to correct underbite without surgery in adults, there are three main options: Invisalign, braces, and cosmetic procedures like veneers or crowns. Surgical underbite correction is generally only necessary when there is a more serious skeletal problem responsible for the bad bite.

How long do braces stay on for an underbite?

Most Common: 12 to 18 Months. The majority of the patients we treat wear braces between 12 and 18 months. Orthodontic appliances may need to be used to resolve any crowding of the teeth. There may also be slight issues with bite, such as an overbite or posterior cross-bite.