Herbst Appliance

This Herbst appliance is used to reduce overbites by encouraging the lower jaw to grow forward and pushing back on the upper jaw and teeth. It goes on at the same time as braces usually and is glued on the back teeth. 

Most of the time, it is left in place for 8-12 months, depending on how much overbite needs to be corrected. When it is removed, braces are then placed on the back teeth to allow them to be straightened. This usually takes another 8-12 months. 

Because this appliance is one that we use to change the way that the jaws are growing, it takes a little longer than just using braces to correct an overbite. But, if we want to correct the overbite by bringing the lower jaw and chin as far forward as possible, it is well worth the extra time. Treatment times with this appliances are usually between 18-24 months.

Most often, the Herbst is used on growing children between the ages of 11-15. But, some adults can benefit from it as well. 

Everyone always wants to know if it hurts. Just like braces, it takes some time to get used to after it and the braces are placed. It takes most people about a week to get used to the Herbst. After that, most people don't even notice it's back there. We are now using a very new type of Herbst called the Advansync Herbst, which is much smaller and more comfortable than other designs we have used in the past.