Herbst vs. Forsus: Which Bite Corrector Is Right for Your Teen?

At Bailey Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on warmly welcoming patients of all ages and ensuring everyone who walks through our doors feels comfortable and understood. We’re proud to give patients various options for their dental problems, including the Herbst or Forsus appliance in Coppell. Both are popular choices for a bite corrector for teens in Flower Mound, but how can you determine which is right for your child? Let us give you a breakdown of these two options and how they compare.

Herbst Appliance – Early Bite Correction for Growing Teens

The Herbst appliance works to reposition and guide the lower jaw forward as part of orthodontic treatment. It’s a fixed appliance made of metal bands placed on the upper and lower molars (or bottom premolars) that your child won’t be able to remove during the treatment.

We apply the device before or at the start of your child’s braces treatment, and we remove it once it’s done its job, usually in about a year. However, the exact time will depend on the severity of the malocclusion. Sometimes, we use the Herbst appliance for a child who doesn’t need braces because it doesn’t rely on brackets or wires for support.

Our orthodontist recommends this treatment for adolescents and younger teens who are still growing to correct the following:

• Overbite
• Overjet
• Overly prominent upper jaw
• Underdeveloped lower jaw

Forsus Appliance in Coppell – Ideal for Older Teens

We also offer the Forsus appliance in Coppell and Flower Mound to correct overbites. This option is best suited for older teens approaching the end of their growth or who are done growing. An orthodontist attaches the spring fixtures to their braces’ lower archwires and upper molar bands. The device uses continuous pressure to move the upper and lower jaws into the proper positions to reduce the possibility of uneven tooth wear and future oral hygiene problems.

We apply them once your kid has had braces for several months to allow their teeth to start shifting into their intended positions first. Your teen won’t be able to remove the Forsus appliance. Our orthodontist will remove the springs at the end of the treatment. Your child will generally need to wear the Forsus appliance for three to eight months, depending on the severity of their overbite, overall tooth health, and bone density.

A Forsus appliance is generally for less severe cases that don’t require intervention before the jaw is done growing.

At Bailey Orthodontics, we provide both Herbst and Forsus appliances for patients in Coppell and Flower Mound, tailoring treatment based on your teen’s age, growth stage, and overbite severity. With expertise and precision, our orthodontists will evaluate your child’s teeth and jaw to choose the ideal treatment. Call us today at 469-523-7469 (Coppell) or 214-285-8346 (Flower Mound) to schedule a consultation and find the right bite corrector for your teen.