7 Game-Changing Details That Make the Herbst Dental Appliance Stand Out

If your child’s jaw isn’t growing the way it’s supposed to, the team at SHN Orthodontics can help with a growth modification tool like the Herbst dental appliance. Some kids need early correction, and addressing the issue sooner rather than later is the key to successful treatment. 

1. The Herbst Orthodontic Appliance: What You Need to Know

The Herbst orthodontic appliance works like artificial joints between your child’s upper and lower jaw. Orthodontists use it to modify your child’s jaw growth while they’re still developing. In use for more than a century, the Herbst appliance isn’t a new kid on the block.

Because it’s a fixed device, they can’t remove it on their own. A good thing. It attaches to their back teeth on both arches.

2. Why Early Orthodontic Treatment Is the Best Option

When an orthodontist catches your child’s jaw issues early, you can usually avoid invasive treatments like surgery later. Appliances like the Herbst do all the heavy lifting while your child’s bones are still flexible. If you wait too long, it can limit what’s possible to fix without resorting to more drastic measures.

3. How the Herbst Orthodontic Appliance Works

The Herbst is cemented onto your child’s upper and lower molars. Tiny metal arms connect the top and bottom teeth. Gradually, these little arms gently push the lower jaw forward over a period of time. It’s sort of like “training wheels” for aligning the jaw. Your little one wears it 24/7, with no removable parts you have to worry about keeping up with. 

4. Benefits of Early Intervention with the Herbst Appliance

Some of the real advantages that come with the Herbst appliance include the following: 

• Kids get used to them quickly, usually within a week or two
• Treatment for most kids takes about a year
• No airway blockage, no interference with breathing
• Used by dentists and orthodontists for over 115 years—making it one of the most well-documented tools in orthodontics.

5. An Overview of the Treatment Process

The first thing that happens is your child’s orthodontist takes X-rays and impressions. The appliance is made, and it gets fitted at a follow-up appointment. After that, your child comes back to SHN Orthodontics for regular check-ins every few weeks. The team can make adjustments if needed at those appointments. 

Taking good care of teeth at home requires a little more effort when using the Herbst appliance. It helps to use a water flosser. Also, eating soft foods during the first couple of days after an adjustment makes it easier. 

6. How a Herbst Dental Appliance Is Used for Kids

A Herbst dental appliance will often be recommended for kids who have skeletal discrepancies or deep overbites. Children who breathe through their mouths instead of their noses also benefit. The treatment process takes about 12 months for most kids. After the first couple of weeks, most kids forget they even have it. 

7. Finding an Orthodontist Who Offers the Herbst Dental Appliance in Mission Viejo, CA

To learn more about the Herbst dental appliance, it’s important to consult with an orthodontist like Dr. Shannon Hilgers Nissen, who has experience with it. To schedule a consultation, call (949) 830-4101. The team will get you set up for an appointment at 26302 La Paz Rd #202, Mission Viejo, CA 92691.