Headgear

Headgear is one of the longest-established orthodontic appliances, and it does something braces alone cannot: it works on the position and growth of the jaw itself, not just the teeth. At Crystal Clear Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Aesha Chaudhry considers it for growing patients whose bite problem comes from how the jaws meet rather than from the teeth alone.

What It Is For

Guiding jaw growth — in children and teens who are still growing, gentle steady pressure can influence how the upper jaw develops relative to the lower.
Correcting the bite — it is used where the upper and lower teeth meet too far forward or too far back for braces to resolve on their own.
Holding position — it can also keep back teeth in place while other teeth are moved.

Wearing It

Headgear is removable and usually worn in the evening and overnight rather than during the school day. It only works during the hours it is actually worn, so the schedule Dr. Chaudhry sets is the part that matters most. Whether it is the right approach is decided at a consultation, alongside the other options offered at the practice.