Headgear is not the horrible, scary “punishment” that it has been made out to be in the 1980’s movies. So if Dr. Alison tells you that headgear is needed during your treatment, do not panic. You will not have to wear the appliance to school!

Headgear is an orthodontic appliance that attaches to dental braces or a palate expander to correct bite problems. Headgear helps to control the growth of the maxillary jaw bone during orthodontic treatment.

Headgear can be used to correct an overbite, overjet, underbites, and to make space for teeth to come in. The optimal amount of time to wear the headgear is 10-12 hours a day. The minimum of 10 hours should be a continuous 10 hours every night and the consistency of nightly wear is very important.

Orthodontic headgear typically has three components:

– Facebow: metal arch that slides into tubes on bands on the first permanent molars

– Strap: a fabric strap that fits around the cap of the head or around the back of the neck

– Frame:  a metal framework that elastics attach to used in underbite correction

– Safety Modules: connect the facebow and headcap/ neckstrap together. They are pressure sensitive to be sure that the correct force is used when attaching headgear to the bands.

Please feel free to ask if you have any questions about headgear.  Below is a wonderful example of what headgear can do!

History of Orthodontics and dental care

1728- first book to discuss methods to straighten teeth

1885- mass-production of toothbrushes

1901- first school of orthodontics established

1915- headgear invented by Max Kadesky

Sweet Smiles 🙂

Mini Pumpkin Tarts

Ingredients:

3 packages (15 tarts each) prebaked frozen mini pastry shells         1 (15 oz) can Pumpkin

2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed                                                 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 (3.4 oz) pack cheesecake flavor instant pudding

1. Remove the shells from the freezer and let them thaw at room temp. for 15 minutes

2. Combine the pumpkin, whipped topping, and pumpkin pie spice in a medium bowl, whisking until smooth. Add the pudding mix and whisk until smooth and thick.

3. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the filling into each of the shells, then top the tarts with whipped topping.

Fun in the office!!!

Pepper the pumpkin has came and gone for the fall. Thank you to all of our patients that participated in the guessing of Pepper’s weight. We had a wonderful amount of guesses. The exact weight of Pepper was 142.8 lbs!

Coming up in December we will have a sugar quantity contest. Be sure to come in and place your guess to be entered for a $50 giftcard!