If your child has an overbite, their orthodontist may have mentioned to you that they may need a Herbst appliance. While you’ve likely heard of many orthodontic devices on the market, you may be unfamiliar with this one. Before your child gets a Herbst appliance, there are likely several questions you have. 

Your orthodontic care is important, and we want to ensure that you are prepared for whatever procedure or device comes next. Our Bailey Orthodontics team wants to help you through this process and has answers to whatever questions you may have. 

Read on to learn more about what the Herbst appliance is and what to expect after its installation. 

What Is A Herbst Appliance?

The Herbst appliance, also known as a functional orthodontic appliance, is used by orthodontists to slow down the development of the upper jaw while encouraging the lower jaw to move farther forward. Your orthodontist will recommend getting a Herbst appliance if your child has bite irregularities, including an overbite. 

With a Herbst appliance and regular visits to your orthodontist, you don’t have to worry about your child struggling with rubber bands or wearing bulky, bothersome headgear. An added benefit to the Herbst appliance is that it is fixed in place, so there is no worry that it will be misplaced and treatment length will be prolonged. 

How Does The Herbst Appliance Work?

The Herbst appliance is made of metal tubes and rods attached to the upper and lower molars. Once installed, it encourages the lower jaw to move forward while applying pressure against the upper jaw to slow its movement. While wearing a Herbst appliance, the jaw is guided into a more forward position each time your child bites. 

Most often, the Herbst appliance is recommended for children between the ages of 9 and 14. This age range is optimal for the device because the jaw has not fully developed and is still easily manipulated into this forward position. 

How Long Do You Wear The Herbst Appliance?

There are many factors that impact the length of time a Herbst appliance is worn, including the severity of their bite discrepancy and how the jaw reacts to the treatment. However, the general timeline with the Herbst appliance goes as follows:  

• Initial Placement: Your orthodontist will assess the severity of bite irregularities and recommend the Herbst appliance. It is custom-made to fit the mouth and is then attached to their upper and lower molars. 
• Regular Adjustments: Over the course of 9 to 12 months, your orthodontist will make regular adjustments to the Herbst appliance to continue encouraging the lower jaw to move into the appropriate position. This timeline is tentative and could be shorter if the jaw responds more quickly than expected or the bite discrepancy is not so severe. 
• Transition To Braces: While your child may have worn braces during the process, they may also make the transition from their Herbst appliance to wearing braces to make further corrections to their bite. 

It is important to remember that this timeline is not set in stone, and some factors may impact the length of treatment. Your orthodontist will regularly monitor progress to ensure everything is going as expected. As long as you regularly attend orthodontic appointments and get regular adjustments, you should expect to see results in the estimated timeline. 

Will The Herbst Appliance Hurt?

Much like when your child gets braces for the first time, they may feel some mild discomfort immediately following the installation of the Herbst appliance. They will likely experience some soreness in their jaw as they get used to wearing the device. However, this pain should be easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication. 

They may also notice irritation on the inside of their cheeks as the device rubs against the skin. This irritation should subside quickly as the skin thickens to handle this consistent friction. While waiting for the skin to toughen, your child may want to rinse their mouth with saltwater to soothe the irritation. 

Your child may also struggle with sleep in the first few days after their Herbst appliance has been installed if they are a side sleeper. The device may press against their cheek in a way that is unfamiliar and uncomfortable to them. Sleeping on their back should relieve any discomfort, though you may need to experiment with pillow placement to make this easier. 

Getting A Herbst Appliance With Bailey Orthodontics

At Bailey Orthodontics, we do all that we can to make the process of getting a Herbst appliance as easy as possible. With years of experience, our team is confident that we can make the experience of getting a Herbst appliance easy and simple. Our Farmington and Bountiful offices are ready to help you through this process and are available to answer any questions you have over the phone or in person.

Bailey Orthodontics has recently reopened its Farmington office and is ready to serve you in this new and improved space. No matter your orthodontic needs, our team is ready to help. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment with our team in Bountiful or Farmington, contact us today.

After getting metal braces to help straighten your teeth, some activities and foods should be avoided. Braces are fragile and any damage to brackets or wires can set you back on your treatment schedule. Bailey Orthodontics in Farmington and Bountiful wants patients to know what their braces can handle and how to protect their teeth while wearing braces. 

Below are just a few of the dos and don’ts of braces that all patients should work hard to follow. Doing so will help your treatment go much smoother and help you avoid damage to your teeth as well. 

Do Avoid Sticky Foods

Caramel, candy, and other sticky foods can stick to your braces and be hard to remove. When you eat or try to remove these sticky substances, you could end up pulling brackets off your teeth or breaking wires. Avoiding extremely crunchy or sticky foods will ensure that your braces stay in good condition and can properly adjust your teeth. 

Don’t Bite Foreign Objects

Some people have bad habits of biting their nails or chewing on their pencils/pens. These habits can be damaging to your braces and your teeth. Biting on nonedible objects could lead to damage to your brackets or weaken their effectiveness. Many of these habits are done subconsciously so you may have to take extra caution to avoid these acts while receiving orthodontic treatment. 

Do Floss Daily

Flossing is important for all people, with or without braces. The dos and don’ts of braces need to include flossing because it is essential to having healthy teeth. Keeping your oral health in proper condition requires flossing, especially with the extra hardware on your teeth. Using flossing picks or water picks can help remove food particles from your teeth and protect your braces. 

Don’t Skip Orthodontic Appointments

Attending your appointments with your orthodontist will ensure that you are on track with your progress and that your braces are doing their job. These appointments are also a great time to address any problems you may be having with your braces. Skipping out on these appointments could lead to a longer adjustment process, causing you to wear braces for longer. 

Your orthodontist is also very busy, so pulling a no-call/no-show for your appointment can set them behind for the rest of the day. Try to schedule your appointment for a time and day that works best for you and if an emergency arises, call to let the office know you will not be able to make it. 

Do Wear A Mouthguard

Playing sports is possible while you have braces, but you will want to protect your mouth with something like a mouthguard when playing contact sports. A mouthguard will help prevent tooth knock out, cuts in your lips from brackets, or broken wires. If you are looking to play sports or rough activities while having braces, your orthodontist may be able to provide a mouthguard for added protection.

Don’t Remove Colored Bands

A major item on the list of dos and don’ts of braces is to protect your elastic bands. While your colored elastic bands may just look decorative, they are crucial to helping adjust your bite and the alignment of your teeth. Removing these elastics can change the course of your treatment. Unless otherwise instructed by your orthodontist, leave your elastics on until your next appointment. 

Do Rinse After Eating

Removing as many food particles as possible after eating will help prevent cavities or gum irritation. Rinsing out your mouth or brushing your teeth after eating a meal will help limit problems with your teeth. Rinsing out your mouth will remove loose food particles and limit bacteria in your mouth until you can brush your teeth thoroughly. 

Don’t Skip Wearing Elastics

Following the instructions for elastic wear from your orthodontist is crucial to keep your treatment on track. Your orthodontist is trying to align your teeth and make them look straight but is also aligning your bite.  This will often require wearing elastic bands.  If you want to get your braces off on time and keep your treatment on track don’t skip wearing your elastic bands! 

Additional Tips For Orthodontic Treatment

Bailey Orthodontics offers multiple blogs, resources, and virtual options to help patients of all backgrounds and ages. We want to ensure that your investment in braces is well protected by helping you know the dos and don’ts of braces. Our offices in Farmington and Bountiful also have friendly office staff that can answer your questions over the phone or in person. 

No matter what stage of life you are in, getting proper oral care is always worth it. Our orthodontists and staff are happy to be the experts you trust with your oral health. To learn more about financing, what services we offer, or how to take care of your braces, head to our website. 

Taking the time out of your day for dental appointments or orthodontic appointments is important for your oral health but sometimes it can be hard to fit it into a busy day. It may seem like common sense, but arriving on time may be harder than you think. Bailey Orthodontics knows how busy life can get, but it is important to arrive on time for appointments for a variety of reasons. 

Your dental care is important, so arriving on time can help you receive the right treatment in the right amount of time. For those who get stressed about coming to the dentist or orthodontist, extra time might give you more peace during your appointment. 

Read on for more tips on how to arrive on time and why it is important to our orthodontic office.

Give Yourself Time To Prepare

Going to the dentist or orthodontist can be stressful, so giving you or your child some extra time to prepare is a good reason to be on time for appointments. Being on time will allow you to get all checked in, sit in the waiting room, and compose yourself or do some deep breathing if needed.

Being on time for dental appointments will also give you time to fill out any necessary paperwork before your appointment. This may help the process go smoother next time or get you into your appointment faster. Always having a little extra time can save you more stress than you realize. 

You Will Receive Treatment At Your Scheduled Time

Dentists and Orthodontists have busy schedules, so they often make appointments back to back. This means if you are late to your appointment, they may have taken the next patient before you. Showing up just a little early to your appointment will ensure you get your teeth cleaned or braces tightened at your scheduled time. 

For our patients that have to travel to our Farmington or Bountiful office from surrounding counties, we get how hard travel and traffic can be. We are proud to serve Davis County and beyond but plan your travel time accordingly so that we can provide you with the best care. 

You Won’t Put The Dentist Or Orthodontist Behind Schedule

As previously mentioned, dentists and orthodontists take on a lot of responsibility and work with many patients each day. Showing up late for your dental or orthodontic appointments will put them behind schedule and in turn, make those who were on time for their appointments have to wait longer.

We know that your time is valuable, but with so many people to treat and limited hours in the day, we encourage patients in our orthodontic office to respect our time as well. Staying on schedule is important, but we understand when conflicts arise. It is a good practice to call ahead if you will be late to let the office know or to reschedule for a better time. 

Should I Be Early To My Appointment?

So, if you shouldn’t be late for your appointment, should you be early? Many patients worry that if they are too early they may spend a lot of time waiting. Arriving 5-10 minutes early will account for any issues, give you time to get into the office, and be ready for your dentist or orthodontist. The office takes into account just enough time to complete your cleaning or procedure, so being early might give them extra time to help you and get you out earlier. 

Tips For Fitting Appointments Into Your Busy Schedule

Schedule Your Next Appointment Before You Leave Our Office

The doctors and staff will let you know when we want to see you back for your next appointment at the end of your visit at Bailey Orthodontics. It is best to schedule before you leave our office to get your first pick at the time and date of your next appointment.  Our schedule is generally booked out for 4-6 weeks, so scheduling ahead is always recommended.

Schedule The First Appointment Of The Day

If you know you have a hectic day ahead, call the day before and schedule the earliest time available. This will help you take care of your oral health without cramming it into the rest of your meetings and obligations. Our staff will let you know how long your  Orthodontic treatment appointment should take, so you can plan your schedule and know if you might be a little late for work or school.

Getting your teeth cleaned or having a checkup early in the morning will give you the rest of the day to complete other activities or relax after your appointment. 

Whether you live in Davis County or beyond, Bailey Orthodontics is happy to discuss appointments that work with your schedule. Since we treat patients of all ages, there are bound to be conflicting schedules and varying times that patients need.

Complete Paperwork Ahead Of Time

If possible, complete all new patient paperwork before your appointment. This will make the check-in process smoother and your wait time shorter. 

Serving Davis County Patients

Bailey Orthodontics has now opened our newly remodeled Farmington, UT office! This gives us more space and resources to help better serve patients. No matter your age or orthodontic needs, we have orthodontists and office staff that are willing to help.