A common orthodontic problem occurs when the upper front teeth protrude beyond the lower. This is often referred to as an excessive overbite or overjet. Ordinarily when we see this situation, we tend to think that the upper jaw and teeth are too far forward. More often than not, this condition is due to an underdeveloped lower jaw that is further back than it should be. In these patients, Dr. Mibab would like to encourage the lower jaw to catch up in growth, and orthodontic appliances like the Herbst appliance help this happen.
One major advantage of the Herbst appliance is that it can be fixed to the teeth and braces, minimizing a child’s responsibility in remembering to wear it. It works 24 hours a day and stays in place for one year. A Herbst appliance can help avoid jaw surgery in a young patient who is still growing.
At first, your mouth will feel unusually full, and talking and eating will be awkward. We suggest practicing reading aloud and eating softer foods for a few days. Your back teeth will not contact for several days. If the Herbst irritates your cheeks, place some wax on the screws near your bottom lip.
Even though the Herbst appliance prevents the lower jaw from moving backward, opening and closing movements still occur easily after a few days, and you should not have any problems learning to chew food with your lower jaw in this new position. A common problem occurs if you yawn or open your mouth very widely. You might disengage the tubes and rods of the Herbst.
Most patients learn to reinsert these with their fingers or tongue.
You will need to be careful about what you eat. Avoid hard foods and chewy candy. Your Herbst appliance will be checked and adjusted at your appointments.