The Herbst Appliance

27 Sep

In some patients the lower jaw is small and needs assistance to match with the upper jaw. A Herbst (lower jaw advancing) appliance may be the additional help needed. Elastics sometimes are not enough to make the needed correction to the tooth alignment. A Herbst appliance is typically worn 8 months.

An illustration showing a Herbst appliance and the difference (blue line) between the upper and lower teeth (incisors). This appliance is designed to move the lower jaw forward.

ABOVE:  An illustration showing a Herbst appliance and the difference (blue line) between the upper and lower teeth (incisors). This appliance is designed to move the lower jaw forward.

This illustration shows the correction of the bite and position of the lower teeth using the Herbst appliance. Note that the incisors are aligned.

ABOVE:  An illustration showing the correction of the bite and position of the lower teeth using the Herbst appliance. Note that the incisors are aligned.

An illustration of patient with a smaller lower jaw that would benefit from a Herbst appliance. The blue line is a reference as to where the lower jaw should be located.

ABOVE:  An illustration of patient with a smaller lower jaw that would benefit from a Herbst appliance. The blue line is a reference as to where the lower jaw should be located.

An illustration of an ideal facial profile. Notice that the lips and chin line up with blue line that drop like a plumb bob under the nose. As the lower jaw moves forward it has an added benefit of increasing the airway which may improve sleep quality.

ABOVE:  An illustration of an ideal facial profile. Notice that the lips and chin line up with blue line that drop like a plumb bob under the nose. As the lower jaw moves forward it has an added benefit of increasing the airway which may improve sleep quality.

An illustration of a face with excellent growth of the facial bones. Note that lips and chin are aligned. Illustration depicting the skull in a patient with excellent growth of the facial bones and alignment of the teeth.

ABOVE:  An illustration of a face with excellent growth of the facial bones. Note that lips and chin are aligned. Illustration depicting the skull in a patient with excellent growth of the facial bones and alignment of the teeth.