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.
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Why use Headgear?
Headgear Basic Info
Types of Headgear
Patient needs vs. Orthodontist’s needs
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1. Increasing Anchorage
2. Distalizing the Maxillary (or mandibular
arch
3. Precautionary Use
Headgear can create either an orthodontic
change or orthopedic change.
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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.
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Action Desired
Recommended Wear Time
- Distalizing
24 hours per day
- Holding anchorage
14 hours per day
- Precautionary
night time wear
Headgear has been used
Successfully for 150+ years.
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Dr. Angle’s
Headgear
from 1894
Need U6 for molar
Band placement
 Girls = 6.22 years
 Boys = 6.40 years
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Other Teeth come in
From 6-13 years
Chart shows average age of
tooth eruption
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Force Applied X
Time worn X
Direction Applied X
Other Factors
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Before and After Headgear:
Good headgear wear moved U6 “back” distally
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Facebows
Release Modules
Straps or cushions
Other items
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Headgear is the “outside” part
Facebow goes into patient’s mouth
Facebow connects to buccal tube’s
“headgear tube”
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Headgear is the “outside” part
Facebow goes into patient’s mouth
Facebow connects to buccal tube’s
“headgear tube”
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Buccal tube’s headgear tube
accepts facebow wire
Pictured here is the Nitom Locking Facebow
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Kloehn
- Regular
- Cushion Loop
J-Hook
Asher
Bite Plate
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Kloehn style facebow
- .045” diameter inner bow
- .072” outer bow
- 6 sizes inner bow
- 2 sizes outer bow
Rigid Feel
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Kloehn Loop style
- invented by Dr. Andrews
- .067 outer bow
with cushion loop
Softer springy Feel
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J-Hook Facebow
- Two “J” shaped hooks
connect to posted archwires
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Asher Facebow
- Used by Dr. Ron Roth
- Intrudes anterior teeth
- Short or regular outerbow
- Pushes on Archwire
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Bite Plate Facebow
- Intrudes anterior teeth
- Short or regular outerbow
- Pushes on anterior teeth
- two main styles:
cushion loop style or
regular style
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Cervical Pull
High Pull (occipital pull)
Combi Pull
Reverse Pull
Vertical Pull
J Hook
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Pulls back from the upper molar
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Direction of Pull
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Pulls upward from upper
first molar
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Direction of Pull
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Pulls upward and back from
Upper first molar
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Direction of Pull
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Pulls upper arch forward
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Direction of Pull
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Pulls upward
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Direction of Pull
Researcher and Author: Dr. Russel Samuels (UK)
Published: JCO, AJO, BJO, EJO
Four Types of Headgear Injuries In Europe
(23 countries studied)
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Accidental disengagement while playing (17%)
Incorrect handling during fitting or removal (8%)
Bully Pulls headgear (4%)
Unintentional nighttime disengagement (71%)
Your Actions can reduce Potential Injuries:
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Proper patient instructions
Proper fitting by orthodontic office
Proper equipment – Ortho Kinetics Headgear
& Facebows
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
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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
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Releasable headgear for modules
◦ Aka. Safety modules or safety breaks, etc.
Fit onto Cervical and high pull
Straps and connect to facebow
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When you pull strap; a force
is applied by the module
When strap is fully extended;
module “breaks away”
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The Further you pull strap
(strap extension)= more force
applied
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Marks on strap show how
far strap is extended
(pulled)
Use OKC Force Tool to see relationship
between force & extension
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OKC offers plastic release clips on “Nitro”
Brand Modules
plastic clips are easier to put together
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NewGear features plastic
clips with higher breakaway force
It is easy to put together
Patented “luggage buckle”
style
Patient Needs:
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Comfortable
Easy to Use
Attractive
Easy to Clean
Safe to use
Orthodontist Needs:
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Patient Cooperation
Right force level
Safe to use
Comfortable
Minimal Inventory
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NewGear Emphasizes:
◦ Ease of Use
◦ Attractive – color options
◦ Comfort options –
 Regular foam cushion
 Gel cushion
 Visco cushion
Ortho Kinetics Corporation
Exclusively Focused on
Innovative Orthodontic Force Systems