Facemask (orthodontics)
A facemask (also referred to as a protraction facemask, orthopedic facemask, or reverse-pull headgear) is a type of an orthodontic headgear used to treat underbite and other malocclusions where the upper jaw is too far backwards.[1] A metal bar sits in front of the patients face with support from the forehead and chin. Elastics are connected to the metal bar and the teeth - directly through the lips / mouth of the patient. The elastics apply forward and downward pressure on the upper jaw. Thus the force direction is the opposite from a standard headgear which is why this appliance is also known as a reverse-pull-headgear. [1]
This facemask appliance needs to worn by the patient for between 14 and 16 hours daily. [2]
Additional images
References
- ^ a b "Protraction facemask". Dr Sylvain Chamberland Orthodontiste. 2011-09-26. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
- ^ Ozkalayci, Nurhat; Cicek, Orhan (2017), "When Do Skeletal Class III Patients Wear Their Reverse Pull Headgears?", BioMed Research International, 2017: 1–5, doi:10.1155/2017/3546262, PMC 5362724, PMID 28377927