Headgear Braces
For patients who have overbites that cannot be remedied using braces and elastics, orthodontists recommend that they wear headgear braces. The headgear works to prevent the growth of the upper jaw as it waits for the lower jaw to catch up. In most cases, a combination treatment is done, with the use of headgear and rubber bands to correct the overbite. It can be worn during the day or while sleeping, depending on the case.
Headgear is usually prescribed for children and teenagers, because their sudden growth spurts is ideal for correcting overbites. Older patients with overbite should opt for surgery; since their jaws are no longer growing, using headgear to correct the condition will be ineffective. Surgery should only be a last resort treatment for patients at a young age.