Herbst Appliance
The Advance Sync Herbst is the newest and most technologically advanced Herbst appliance available. It is very effective in correcting large overbites in most patients. It is used to enhance the growth of the lower jaw in a forward direction. Arch development of the upper jaw may also be done if necessary. The new and improved design allows patients to have braces at the same time thus simultaneously straightening their teeth as the overbite is corrected. This reduces the overall treatment time by up to 50%.
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The Herbst is comprised of a tube and rod on each side of the mouth that work together similar to a shock absorber. It connects the upper and lower jaws, but does not interfere with opening and closing the mouth or with eating. The Herbst appliance is cemented on the back teeth, and so it is in place and active 24 hours a day. It is generally worn full time for at least 6 months, and sometimes as long as a year.
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This new design, used by Dr. Bernstein, is the smallest and most comfortable Herbst appliance to date. This is in line with our philosophy of comfortable, efficient, effective and predictable treatment.
At first, patients will notice some tenderness to the teeth, the jaw muscles, the cheeks, and near the jaw joints, This is normal and should begin to disappear within a week. If it persists longer, please call our office. Rinsing with warm salt water will help take away the tenderness. The appliance may also irritate the insides of the cheeks for the first week or so.
Patients may find it easier to sleep on their back so there is not as much pressure to the cheeks. Wax may be used as needed to cover the Herbst Appliance for comfort the first week. The rod can not slide out since it has a new telescoping locking mechanism. If the screw comes loose, try to screw it back in with the key provided. If a band comes loose, save all pieces and call our office so we can repair the appliance as soon as possible to not delay treatment.
Remember, while the Herbst may be difficult to adjust to for a few days, it takes the place of headgear and more difficult appliances. In most cases, it allows large overbite correction without having to extract teeth or have jaw surgery. The Herbst offers a wonderful orthopedic correction of mandibular deficiency (short lower jaw), thus producing a face and smile that is more balanced and esthetic.
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