I want headgear!

[farmboy]

Yes, I'm sure many of you think I'm crazy, but please bear with me.

A little background: I'm in braces for a third time. I had braces as a young kid, then again eight years ago for a clenching problem. This time, seems a heretofore untreated tongue issue pushed my teeth back out of line and gave me an open bite. I'm currently wearing a tongue crib to help stifle that issue.

The current problem: I've worn anterior box elastics to help close my bite. The first month, I saw gteat progress, but in the nearly three months since, it seems my bite has stopped closing altogether. This is despite the fact my orthdontist gave me a narrower-gauge elastic (I sent from a 3/8"to 1/4", super heavy strength to boot).

I know I'm not an orthodontist, but I've read in orthodontic journals that headgear can be effective for open bites, even on adults. I know my orthodontist isn't keen on headgear for adults.

My jext adjustment is next week. How do I get the point across to my orthodontist that I would like to try headgear--at least for a few months--and see if it works? (Compliance would not be a problem.) Any help would be appreciated.

[djspeece]

Proceed with caution. The last thing your ortho wants to spend time doing is explaining why he is reluctant to change a treatment plan based on a patient's reading some orthodontic journals. I have the feeling you have broached this subject previously. This time I'd simply ask why he thinks headgear would not be appropriate or effective in your particular case, and what the implications would be for the long term. It sounds like your main concern is for speed, which is often anathema in orthodontics.

[farmboy]

djspeece,

You make a good point. During adjustments, I'm lucky if I get to see the doctor for more than 60 seconds, so I haven't discussed headgear with her. She has a very experienced assistant who told me the doctor doesn't like to use headgear on adults, but the assistant didn't know why the doctor feels that way.

I completely agree about the speed of treatment; I'd rather have my braces on longer than rush into a less desirable (and possibly less stable) result. In my case, my orthodontist has already expressed surprise at my bite's refusal to close. I just don't want my doctor leaving a potentially useful tool in the box.

[djspeece]

That makes sense. In my experience the assistants' strengths lie in performing the technical tasks such as removing or replacing arch wires and powerchains, but can be somewhat weak on the science and theory. Best of luck to you!