Basics of Orthodontic

Headgear

Steve Luse & Craig Jacobson

©Copyright 2010 Ortho Kinetics Corp. This material is the property of OKC and may
not be used without written permission. 12/21/10 Length 37 pages.
Outline
 Why use Headgear?
 Headgear Basic Info
 Types of Headgear
 Patient needs vs. Orthodontist’s needs
Why Use Headgear?
 1. Increasing Anchorage
 2. Distalizing the Maxillary (or mandibular

arch
 3. Precautionary Use

Headgear can create either an orthodontic

change or orthopedic change.
Orthodontic Headgear Use
 Used to hold or move teeth or entire arch
 e.g hold upper (maxillary) arch while child

grows
 e.g move back (distalize) upper molars in

relation to child’s head.

Doctor’s Headgear Recommendations
 Action Desired Recommended Wear Time
 - Distalizing 24 hours per day
 - Holding anchorage 14 hours per day
 - Precautionary night time wear
Why use Headgear?
Headgear has been used
Successfully for 150+ years.

Dr. Angle’s
Headgear
from 1894
Timing of treatment related to tooth
eruption age
 Need U6 for molar
Band placement
 Girls = 6.22 years
 Boys = 6.40 years

 Other Teeth come in

From 6-13 years Chart shows average age of
tooth eruption
Headgear Effectiveness =
 Force Applied X
 Time worn X
 Direction Applied X
 Other Factors
Headgear Wear Result
 Before and After Headgear:

Good headgear wear moved U6 “back” distally

Headgear Components
 Facebows
 Release Modules
 Straps or cushions
 Other items
Headgear connection to patient =
Buccal Tube
 Headgear is the “outside” part
 Facebow goes into patient’s mouth
 Facebow connects to buccal tube’s

“headgear tube”
Headgear connection to patient =
Buccal Tube
 Headgear is the “outside” part
 Facebow goes into patient’s mouth
 Facebow connects to buccal tube’s

“headgear tube”
Buccal Tube with facebow
 Buccal tube’s headgear tube
accepts facebow wire

Pictured here is the Nitom Locking Facebow

Facebow Styles
 Kloehn
- Regular
- Cushion Loop
 J-Hook
 Asher
 Bite Plate
Facebow Styles
 Kloehn style facebow
- .045” diameter inner bow
- .072” outer bow
- 6 sizes inner bow
- 2 sizes outer bow

 Rigid Feel
Facebow Styles
 Kloehn Loop style
- invented by Dr. Andrews
- .067 outer bow
with cushion loop

 Softer springy Feel

Facebow Styles
 J-Hook Facebow
- Two “J” shaped hooks
connect to posted archwires
Facebow Styles
 Asher Facebow
- Used by Dr. Ron Roth
- Intrudes anterior teeth
- Short or regular outerbow
- Pushes on Archwire
Facebow Styles
 Bite Plate Facebow
- Intrudes anterior teeth
- Short or regular outerbow
- Pushes on anterior teeth
- two main styles:
cushion loop style or
regular style
Types of Headgear
 Cervical Pull
 High Pull (occipital pull)
 Combi Pull
 Reverse Pull
 Vertical Pull
 J Hook
Cervical Pull
 Pulls back from the upper molar

 Direction of Pull
High Pull (occipital pull)
 Pulls upward from upper
first molar

 Direction of Pull
Combi Pull
 Pulls upward and back from
Upper first molar

 Direction of Pull
Reverse Pull
 Pulls upper arch forward

 Direction of Pull
Vertical Pull
 Pulls upward

 Direction of Pull
Headgear Safety Study
Researcher and Author: Dr. Russel Samuels (UK)
Published: JCO, AJO, BJO, EJO

Four Types of Headgear Injuries In Europe

(23 countries studied)
 Accidental disengagement while playing (17%)
 Incorrect handling during fitting or removal (8%)
 Bully Pulls headgear (4%)
 Unintentional nighttime disengagement (71%)
Headgear Safety Strategy
Your Actions can reduce Potential Injuries:

 Proper patient instructions

 Proper fitting by orthodontic office
 Proper equipment – Ortho Kinetics Headgear

& Facebows
Safety Strategies for each injury cause
Injury Cause & Prevention Strategy:

1. Accidental disengagement while playing (17%)

Proper patient instructions and education
2. Incorrect handling during fitting or removal (8%)
Proper patient instruction and education
3. Bully pulls headgear (4%)
Releasable headgear modules
4. Unintentional nighttime disengagement (71%)
Nitom™ Locking Facebow
Ortho Kinetics Corp. Headgear
Product Design Philosophy:
 Our releasable force module’s latches are
designed to release at higher force levels
than competitive modules when pulled slowly
 We try to minimize accidental nighttime

headgear module release. (Type 4 injury)

 Our design philosophy applies to:

◦ Nitro™ Modules
◦ NewGear™ Headgear
Force Modules
 Releasable headgear for modules
◦ Aka. Safety modules or safety breaks, etc.

Fit onto Cervical and high pull

Straps and connect to facebow
Headgear Modules
 When you pull strap; a force
is applied by the module

 When strap is fully extended;

module “breaks away”
Headgear Modules
 The Further you pull strap
(strap extension)= more force
applied

 Marks on strap show how

far strap is extended
(pulled)
 Use OKC Force Tool to see relationship
between force & extension
Breakaway Function
 OKC offers plastic release clips on “Nitro”
Brand Modules

 plastic clips are easier to put together

NewGear™ Breakaway Function
 NewGear features plastic
clips with higher breakaway force
 It is easy to put together
 Patented “luggage buckle”

style
Headgear Needs

Patient Needs: Orthodontist Needs:

• Comfortable • Patient Cooperation

• Easy to Use • Right force level
• Attractive • Safe to use
• Easy to Clean • Comfortable
• Safe to use • Minimal Inventory
OKC Need Fulfillment - Patient
 NewGear Emphasizes:
◦ Ease of Use
◦ Attractive – color options
◦ Comfort options –
 Regular foam cushion
 Gel cushion
 Visco cushion
 Ortho Kinetics Corporation

Exclusively Focused on
Innovative Orthodontic Force Systems