THE HERBST
The Herbst is an appliance that consists of rods fixed in the upper and lower jaw.
Sometimes these bars are attached to bands in both the upper and lower jaws that are around the molars and sometimes these bars are attached to a plate in the lower jaw that you click around the teeth yourself. In the case of the bottom plate, the screws that secure the hinges may become loose. If this happens, don’t worry and come to the emergency room. Despite the bars, it is still possible to open the mouth.
The purpose of this brace is to allow the lower jaw to grow. Sometimes this bracket is combined with a clasp bracket. In contrast to a block brace, this also works for patients who are already at the end of their growth (spurt). Due to this special property, the use of this brace can sometimes even prevent jaw surgery.
In the first few weeks, these braces can be quite bothersome. The lower jaw is constantly held in the correct, forward position and this means that the brace can cause muscle ache and discomfort in the jaw joint during the first few days. The teeth may also become sensitive. After a few weeks, this discomfort will diminish. The front teeth will make contact with each other without the molars coming together; chewing will be difficult during the first weeks and you should try to avoid a blow or a knock against the chin!