I can't believe I'm wearing headgear . . .

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#1 Post by **josephine** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 5:48 pm

Today's adjustment included a new, stainless steel, wire for the top arch, six spacers on the bottom arch in preparation for slenderizing there in a couple of weeks, and (drum roll) headgear! I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm hoping this, like getting used to flossing, etc., is just another thing that I'll learn to deal with in a reasonable amount of time, but it's so awkward right now. Anyone have any advice? Or, OK, just moral support? Should I count on difficulty sleeping for a few days or is it not really a big deal?

#2 Post by **Dreamer** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 5:54 pm

(((Josephine))) I don't have a headgear (yet?) but you just typed my biggest fear! Didn't your orthodontist tell you in advance that a headgear was in your future? I have a feeling it's in mine too! Hopefuly it won't be too bad! Do you have to wear it 12 hours a day?

#3 Post by **josephine** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 6:11 pm

Yes, Dreamer, I did know this was a strong possibility, and I'll take it over extractions (I think). The reality is just a little alarming!

#4 Post by **Dreamer** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 6:14 pm

Hang in there! Just remember it's going to help you achieve your beautiful smile in the end! I do have a feeling I'm going to be right behind you with one myself and I also had 4 extractions and am getting a TPA in three weeks. LOL, my son said it sounds like their building a whole car engine in my mouth..pretty soon it will feel that way!

#5 Post by **jbond007** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 6:45 am

Josephine, I wore hipull hg for 18 months. I just got out of it at my most recent adjustment. The first few nights of sleep will b quite difficult, but as you mention, it is something that you will eventually get used to. I never got to the point that I would forget that I was wearing it but as awkward as it is, you will get used to it.

#6 Post by **josephine** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 9:20 am

Thanks, all, I really appreciate the support! It's slightly less alarming this morning but I haven't yet tried to sleep in it.

#7 Post by **H Rogers** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 1:28 pm

Josephine,
Did you ever get use to your headgear? How are you sleeping with it?
I've had mine for a few months and I still can't get use to sleeping with it. My neck just kills me when I sleep with it.

wondering if you could share any helpful hints.

#8 Post by **josephine** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 1:38 pm

To be honest I still have a tough time sleeping with headgear. I have a tendency to wake up about two in the morning, after having moved in my sleep to some place that pulls on the headgear, and just take it off. That means I need to wear it more during the daytime if I really want to keep the hours up. I've had the best luck with a really soft down-alternative pillow -- it's better, to me, than the pillow with the rectangle cut out of it -- and also good luck with just being really really tired when I go to bed!

#9 Post by **H Rogers** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 1:48 pm

Thanks Josephine!
I just haven't been wearing my headgear in weeks and I know I will end up paying for it by having to keep my braces longer but the pain in my neck was getting so bad that it was affecting my job performance. I'm in front of a computer for 8 hours and I would be in tears by the end of the day. My husband is a chiropracter and would work on me every day but finally he just said to wear my headgear during the day like on weekends and that will have to do. I also found myself taking off the headgear during the night. Thanks for answering so quickly! Braced smiles go out to you!

#10 Post by **HeadgearJoe** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 1:37 pm

H Rogers wrote:8) Thanks Josephine!
I just haven't been wearing my headgear in weeks and I know I will end up paying for it by having to keep my braces longer but the pain in my neck was getting so bad that it was affecting my job performance. I'm in front of a computer for 8 hours and I would be in tears by the end of the day. My husband is a chiropracter and would work on me every day but finally he just said to wear my headgear during the day like on weekends and that will have to do. I also found myself taking off the headgear during the night. Thanks for answering so quickly! Braced smiles go out to you! 8)

hi all , yea it's not the best appliance in the world to wear to bed , i'll still wake up tender from time to time, but lick the ortho tells all use headgear wearing adults , it don't work on the night stand only in the mouth hooked up , oh yea an i still have to wear mine , HeadgearJoe

#11 Post by **fins** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:53 pm

I had headgear as a kid but never took it off at night. I guess it is a bit easier to sleep with it as a kid.

For those who really can't wear it much, too much discomfort, there may be a possibility that you might want to ask your ortho about. There are other appliances developed for "non compliant" patients (which I was one, as a kid) that does the job of headgear. I just got out of mine recently and it was so much easier than headgear. I had something called a pendulum. Headgear is very tough to wear IMHO, so I sympathize with you guys who have to wear it.

#12 Post by **cassidy91** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 8:36 pm

I took mine off in the middle of the night a bunch of times when I just got it but once you learn to sleep with it through the night it doesn't really bother you at all.

It was a nuisance at first and I just felt like I couldn't sleep with it on. But after a while it just feels normal and you have no trouble sleeping. I haven't taken it off at night in a long time.

cass

#13 Post by **HeadgearJoe** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 4:27 am

cassidy91 wrote:I took mine off in the middle of the night a bunch of times when I just got it but once you learn to sleep with it through the night it doesn't really bother you at all.

It was a nuisance at first and I just felt like I couldn't sleep with it on. But after a while it just feels normal and you have no trouble sleeping. I haven't taken it off at night in a long time.

cass

hi, what kind do you wear an how many hours a day , an how long have you had it an how long will you need yours , sorry for all the question's