High-pull headgear

Your teeth may be tender or even slightly loose the first few days you wear your headgear. This tenderness is normal and will disappear as you adjust to this new part of your treatment. If you continue to be uncomfortable for more than a few days, be sure to let Dr. Hodges know.

Always be careful and remove your headgear as you were taught. If you remove the headgear carelessly, the part that fits into your mouth and attaches to your teeth could injure your cheeks, lips, face, or even your eyes. Always hold the face-bow whenever you remove the headgear or when hooking on the strap. When removing the face-bow, use gentle side-to-side movements while squeezing it. Do not use a head-to-toe rocking motion.

If you are removing your headgear in your sleep without knowing it, you can wrap scotch tape around the hooks. Wrap the tape heavily on the side you never unhook and lightly on the other side so it is easy to remove.

Make sure to wear your headgear as directed by Dr. Hodges, but as a general rule, the more you wear it the better. It can be worn for 3-4 hours in the evening in addition to all night. Please make sure it is only worn during quiet times such as sleeping, reading, watching TV, playing video games or doing homework. It only works when you wear it! Be sure to remove your headgear before you begin running or playing sports, including rough-and-tumble games. Accidents can happen even when you’re just having fun. Be careful to prevent anyone from grabbing or pulling on your headgear. Brothers, sisters, or friends who don’t wear headgear may not understand the dangers involved, even in play.

It does not matter which hole you wear your headgear attached to. Dr. Hodges has marked a place on the spring mechanism. Be sure you can see that mark, regardless of which hole it is stretched to.