How a Herbst Can Lead to a Beautiful Smile

Your smile is one of the first things people notice, so making sure it’s beautiful should be a priority. Not only does a straight smile make you feel better, but it also helps keep your teeth and gums healthy and clean. But if your teeth aren’t straight, are braces your only option? 

At Duval Orthodontics, our team is highly specialized in many types of orthodontic appliances, including a Herbst appliance. Dr. J.A. Duval is our experienced orthodontist who will help you choose the best treatment option.

What are orthodontic appliances?

Most of us aren’t blessed enough to be born with a perfect smile. Although unfortunate, the good news is there are plenty of orthodontic devices that can help you straighten your teeth or improve other imperfections.

When you think of treating crooked teeth, you might imagine braces. Although braces are a great tool to give you a straight smile, they aren’t right for everyone. Newer technology has brought us invisible braces like Invisalign®, which are a more discreet way to straighten your teeth.

But what happens when you have crooked teeth and a misaligned jaw, too? Not only will you have issues with your smile, but you might have trouble eating and chewing because your bite is off. Fortunately, a Herbst appliance is a solution.

How a Herbst appliance works

When you come in to see Dr. Duval for your jaw issues, he’ll likely recommend a Herbst appliance to help realign it. But how does a Herbst appliance work?

This dental device works by gently pulling your lower jaw forward. While it’s moving your lower jaw, it’s also pushing your upper jaw back. By putting pressure on both your upper and lower jaw, the appliance creates proper alignment.

A Herbst appliance can either be removable or be fixed in your mouth. If the appliance is fixed, Dr. Duval attaches it by applying stainless steel crowns to your back molars. The crowns secure the Herbst appliance.

The Herbst includes rods and a screw, which help to pull your jaw into alignment. The Herbst is commonly combined with braces to treat gaps in your teeth along with jaw misalignment.

Advantages of a Herbst

A Herbst appliance is the modern replacement for the old-style headgear. Headgear was not only an eyesore but also difficult to wear. The advantage to the Herbst is that it’s completely contained in your mouth. However, there are other advantages to this device, including:

• Usually requires less than a year of treatment
• It doesn’t need much maintenance
• It’s adjustable
• It’s relatively painless
• The device is completely inside your mouth

The Herbst appliance is one of the most versatile orthodontic options.

If you think you could benefit from a Herbst appliance, don’t hesitate to call our office at one of our two convenient locations in Albany and Warner Robins, Georgia, to schedule an appointment with Dr. Duval. You can also book an appointment using our online scheduling tool.