Reverse Pull Headgear - Talk Me Off the Ledge

[Kindra178]

I took ds2 to the orthodontist today to start phase 1 - palate expander today. The ortho today said to come back in three weeks for the reverse pull headgear. I almost fell out of my chair. Ds1 didn't need that during his phase 1 treatment. DH took ds2 to his consult, so I had no idea this was coming.

Experience with what seems like a totally insane and ridiculous apparatus, whose utility appears questionable?

[scrooks]

Holy cow! I googled that headgear! Wow! Does your child just sleep in it I hope? I guess that wouldn't be too bad??

[zukeypur]

I had traditional headgear. It wasn't fun, but it did serve a purpose. I wore it at night, so no one else ever saw it. My biggest complaint was that it made me slobber.

[Aishe]

Wow, that is one crazy looking apparatus. Did they model it on Hannibal Lecter (or vice versa)? I don't have any personal experience, but FWIW my TMJ specialist told me that studies show that the use of headgear increases the risk of TMJ. Since I have severe TMJ I will think long and hard before I allow headgear for my kids.

[jillmk]

My DD wore it for about 4 months. DH and I were so upset about it when we saw it, but it was actually fine. DD had no issues sleeping and it didn't cause her discomfort. She was really good about wearing it whenever she was home, and we saw amazing results pretty quickly (she had an underbite that was corrected by the reverse pull head gear.)

[JBaxter]

WOW. And there isn't another option or 2nd opinion? My brother had traditional headgear and took it out every night in his sleep

[Kindra178]

My DD wore it for about 4 months. DH and I were so upset about it when we saw it, but it was actually fine. DD had no issues sleeping and it didn't cause her discomfort. She was really good about wearing it whenever she was home, and we saw amazing results pretty quickly (she had an underbite that was corrected by the reverse pull head gear.)

Thank you for your personal experience post. The orthodontist relayed that same info that parents get upset but kids rarely have trouble sleeping or discomfort.

Reverse headgear is different than the tmj causing headgear or even regular headgear. They even correct opposite problems.


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[ShanaMama]

I also googled it, and wow, looks scary. DD1 has a palette expander but severe overbite so I'm sure that's not in our future. I had a traditional headgear which was mostly annoying and embarrassing. I don't recall it being more painful than any other part of braces. I did have pretty bad TMJ during high school, so shortly after the braces/ headgear. I've never heard about that link before.