Need DR./PATIENT opinion: Invisalign or Herbst with metal?

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#1 Post by **catjack** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:06 pm

Hi. I thought I was one of those lucky people who didn't have to have braces. HA! I should have gotten them when I was in junior high!

I'm now 31 and my jaw pops sooo much whenever I open my mouth due to a class II overbite. I went to the ortho today and he gave me 2 options: Invisalign for 18 months or a Herbst and ceramic braces for 30 months.

I know that Invisalign won't fix my jaw problem...but I read that a Herbst won't fix it if your jaw and bones have stopped growing. And I'm an adult, so they've stopped, right? Plus, I'd look ridiculous if my jaw was brought forward even a little...I'd look like I have an underbite.

I don't really know what to do. Thinking about getting a second opinion? And should I ask my doctor if Invisalign screws up my bite, will he give me braces to fix it?

Thanks,
cat

#2 Post by **Dr. Randall** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:11 pm

No a Herbst won't grow you jaw. Research shows that it really doesn't grow jaws in kids very much either. If you have a significant jaw discrepency, surgery may be a much better option for you. Talk to your orthodontist (or seek a second opinion) to see if surgery would work for you.

Look at this link on my website to see how surgery changes a Class II profile.

http://www.thinkbraces.com/gallery/view ... =Surgery-1

Randall

#3 Post by **catjack** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:24 pm

thank you!

#4 Post by **drrick** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:31 pm

The Herbst wont "grow" your jaw but it could anteriorly reposition it to a more comfortable position which is then supported by your new bite.
I find other appliances work beter than the Herbst for this, but the herbst is used by many,many docs.

As far as invisalign vs. Herbst/braces. That is really 2 different treatments. I would ask the pros and cons of each and decide which route you want to go.

As Randall said sx is also an option