1. Basics of Orthodontic Headgear
Steve Luse & Craig Jacobson
©Copyright 2010 Ortho Kinetics Corp. This material is the property of OKC and may not be used without written permission. 12/21/10 Length 37 pages.

2. Outline Why use Headgear? Headgear Basic Info Types of Headgear
Patient needs vs. Orthodontist’s needs

3. Why Use Headgear? 1. Increasing Anchorage
2. Distalizing the Maxillary (or mandibular arch
3. Precautionary Use
Headgear can create either an orthodontic change or orthopedic change.

4. Orthodontic Headgear Use
Used to hold or move teeth or entire arch
e.g hold upper (maxillary) arch while child grows
e.g move back (distalize) upper molars in relation to child’s head.

5. Doctor’s Headgear Recommendations
Action Desired Recommended Wear Time
- Distalizing hours per day
- Holding anchorage hours per day
- Precautionary night time wear

6. Why use Headgear? Headgear has been used Successfully for 150+ years.
Dr. Angle’s
Headgear from 1894

7. Timing of treatment related to tooth eruption age
Need U6 for molar
Band placement
Girls = 6.22 years
Boys = 6.40 years
Other Teeth come in
From 6-13 years
Chart shows average age of tooth eruption

8. Headgear Effectiveness =
Force Applied X
Time worn X
Direction Applied X
Other Factors

9. Headgear Wear Result Before and After Headgear:
Good headgear wear moved U6 “back” distally

10. Headgear Components Facebows Release Modules Straps or cushions
Other items

11. Headgear connection to patient = Buccal Tube
Headgear is the “outside” part
Facebow goes into patient’s mouth
Facebow connects to buccal tube’s
“headgear tube”

12. Headgear connection to patient = Buccal Tube
Headgear is the “outside” part
Facebow goes into patient’s mouth
Facebow connects to buccal tube’s
“headgear tube”

13. Buccal Tube with facebow
Buccal tube’s headgear tube
accepts facebow wire
Pictured here is the Nitom Locking Facebow

14. Facebow Styles
Kloehn
- Regular
- Cushion Loop
J-Hook
Asher
Bite Plate

15. Facebow Styles Kloehn style facebow - .045” diameter inner bow
- .072” outer bow
- 6 sizes inner bow
- 2 sizes outer bow
Rigid Feel

16. Facebow Styles Kloehn Loop style - invented by Dr. Andrews
outer bow
with cushion loop
Softer springy Feel

17. Facebow Styles J-Hook Facebow - Two “J” shaped hooks
connect to posted archwires

18. Facebow Styles Asher Facebow - Used by Dr. Ron Roth
- Intrudes anterior teeth
- Short or regular outerbow
- Pushes on Archwire

19. Facebow Styles Bite Plate Facebow - Intrudes anterior teeth
- Short or regular outerbow
- Pushes on anterior teeth
- two main styles:
cushion loop style or
regular style

20. Types of Headgear Cervical Pull High Pull (occipital pull) Combi Pull
Reverse Pull
Vertical Pull
J Hook

21. Cervical Pull
Pulls back from the upper molar
Direction of Pull

22. High Pull (occipital pull)
Pulls upward from upper
first molar
Direction of Pull

23. Combi Pull Pulls upward and back from Direction of Pull
Upper first molar
Direction of Pull

24. Reverse Pull
Pulls upper arch forward
Direction of Pull

25. Vertical Pull
Pulls upward
Direction of Pull

26. Headgear Safety Study Four Types of Headgear Injuries In Europe
(23 countries studied)
Accidental disengagement while playing (17%)
Incorrect handling during fitting or removal (8%)
Bully Pulls headgear (4%)
Unintentional nighttime disengagement (71%)
Researcher and Author: Dr. Russel Samuels (UK)
Published: JCO, AJO, BJO, EJO

27. Headgear Safety Strategy
Your Actions can reduce Potential Injuries:
Proper patient instructions
Proper fitting by orthodontic office
Proper equipment – Ortho Kinetics Headgear
& Facebows

28. Safety Strategies for each injury cause
Injury Cause & Prevention Strategy:
1. Accidental disengagement while playing (17%)
Proper patient instructions and education
2. Incorrect handling during fitting or removal (8%)
Proper patient instruction and education
3. Bully pulls headgear (4%)
Releasable headgear modules
4. Unintentional nighttime disengagement (71%)
Nitom™ Locking Facebow

29. Ortho Kinetics Corp. Headgear Product Design Philosophy:
Our releasable force module’s latches are designed to release at higher force levels than competitive modules when pulled slowly
We try to minimize accidental nighttime headgear module release. (Type 4 injury)
Our design philosophy applies to:
Nitro™ Modules
NewGear™ Headgear

30. Force Modules Releasable headgear for modules
Aka. Safety modules or safety breaks, etc.
Fit onto Cervical and high pull
Straps and connect to facebow

31. Headgear Modules When you pull strap; a force is applied by the module
When strap is fully extended;
module “breaks away”

32. Headgear Modules The Further you pull strap
(strap extension)= more force applied
Marks on strap show how far strap is extended (pulled)
Use OKC Force Tool to see relationship between force & extension

33. Breakaway Function
OKC offers plastic release clips on “Nitro” Brand Modules
plastic clips are easier to put together

34. NewGear™ Breakaway Function
NewGear features plastic
clips with higher breakaway force
It is easy to put together
Patented “luggage buckle”
style

35. Headgear Needs Patient Needs: Orthodontist Needs: Comfortable
Easy to Use
Attractive
Easy to Clean
Safe to use
Orthodontist Needs:
Patient Cooperation
Right force level
Safe to use
Comfortable
Minimal Inventory

36. OKC Need Fulfillment - Patient
NewGear Emphasizes:
Ease of Use
Attractive – color options
Comfort options –
Regular foam cushion
Gel cushion
Visco cushion

37. Innovative Orthodontic Force Systems
Ortho Kinetics Corporation
Exclusively Focused on
Innovative Orthodontic Force Systems