The Headgear or Occipital Pull Headgear is an external removable appliance that is anchored to the teeth by metal bands. It is connected to a neck- or head-strap in order to put pressure on the upper jaw and the upper teeth.
The Headgear pulls the upper teeth backwards thereby creating extra space in the jaw where there is crowding of the front teeth and it also inhibits the growth of the upper jaw, which is desirable where there is a distal occlusion (Angle-Class II retrusive occlusion). It is an equally old and effective appliance if it is actually worn. Unfortunately, it is not exactly popular with patients and it also shares some of the weaknesses of removable appliances: The dependence on patients’ cooperation, the non-compliance regarding the wearing time which results in treatment failure.
The Headgear looks a bit unfriendly at first glance. In fact, it is usually worn mainly at night and only a few hours a day – and of course only at home. The classmates do not even know that our patients wear a Headgear. Once the young patients get used to it, they can easily sleep with a Headgear, so it will definitely work well. The treatment duration with the Headgear is usually not more than a year, afterwards or at the same they are treated with fixed appliances.
