What is a Herbst?
A Herbst is a cemented functional appliance which is used to correct severe overjet. Dr. Brown has been using the Herbst appliance successfully for over twenty years. We are very excited to offer this form of treatment which gives our patients an alternative to jaw correction through surgery. The appliance is bonded to the upper and lower molar teeth, and may not be removed by the patient. The Herbst appliance encourages changes in the lower jaw, upper jaw, and teeth, increasing the effective length of the lower jaw, while restricting growth in the upper jaw. The Herbst is worn for approximately 6-9 months. After the Herbst is removed, the patient will either wear full upper and lower braces, or a retentive appliance to maintain the new bite, while waiting for the remainder of the permanent teeth to erupt. When the Herbst is first cemented, patients may find eating to be a challenge, and may notice some discomfort in the lower jaw. We recommend eating soft foods for the first few days
