TADs failed my open bite, will headgear work?
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 6:27 am
Hey folks, I'm 12 months into braces to treat an anterior open bite. Temporary anchorage devices were intruding my molars for 9 months, but they were less effective than we had hoped. When he discontinued them in May, my orthodontist mentioned headgear (not sure what type) as an option if elastics don't satisfactorily close my bite. Last week I brought up headgear with the orthodontist and he was a bit more dour about it, saying that it was a "nuclear option" if nothing else worked, and even then, may not work to fully close my bite. My question is this: has anyone here had headgear to close an open bite, and if so, how effective was it? Does anyone know its relative efficacy when compared to TADs? The orthodontist mentioned less success with headgear in adults... I wonder if that is strictly a function of the less mobile permanent dentition or if compliance becomes more of an issue. (I could realistically be compliant with wearing headgear up to 18 hours per day if needed.)
Lastly, does anyone know of any other possible treatments for closing an open bite, other than surgery? I've looked online and couldn't find any good answers, but I wonder if there are any other less common appliances or therapies that I could suggest to my ortho. He seems to be open to more ideas at this point because of the lack of progress in my mouth. Thanks in advance!
Lastly, does anyone know of any other possible treatments for closing an open bite, other than surgery? I've looked online and couldn't find any good answers, but I wonder if there are any other less common appliances or therapies that I could suggest to my ortho. He seems to be open to more ideas at this point because of the lack of progress in my mouth. Thanks in advance!