Congratulations!
You have been fitted with a Herbst orthodontic appliance.  This appliance has been producing beautiful faces and smiles around the world for many years.  The following information will tell you everything that you need to know in order to become a Happy Herbster!

    BITS AND PIECES.... the Herbst consist of four chrome crowns covering your back molar teeth--one in each corner of your mouth.  Attached to the upper crowns are two metal cylinders or sleeves.  Attached to the lower crowns are two metal bars running parallel to your lower back teeth, and two metal rods that slide into the sleeves hanging down from the upper crowns.  Your appliance may also have an expansion screw located in the middle of your palate, and possibly another screw located just below the tip of your tongue.

    HOW DOES IT WORK?.... the appliance works by using the metal sleeves and rods to hold your lower jaw forward to correct your overbite.  In the next few months, your lower jaw will grow into this new correct position, and your overbite will disappear!  It takes about 8 to 12 months for this magic to occur.  The expansion screws are used to make room for crowded teeth by making the dental arches larger.  They are usually removed by Dr. Yorek after 1 to 2 months.

    WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE FIRST WEEK!.... the most important thing initially is to learn to chew in your new appliance.  Keep your diet as close to liquid as possible during the first 2 to 3 days.  Soup, Jell-O, milk shakes, fruit, smoothies, and yogurt are good for starters.  Then start adding soft foods such as rice or pasta dishes, or regular foods that you first place in a food processor or blender.  Hang in there!  After 1 or 2 weeks, you will be eating normally again.  Always avoid hard or chewy foods--especially candy, gum, ice, and hard chips.

    THINGS THAT RUB.... the lower bar will sometimes irritate the cheek or lip in the lower front corner of your mouth.  Place cotton rolls there to cushion the area for the first 1 or 2 days.  The metal attachments on the outside of the upper chrome crowns can sometimes rub the cheek in the back of your mouth.  Try to keep some wax on these areas, especially the first 1 to 3 nights. Be careful not to rub your tongue against it constantly--this will only keep your tongue upset.

    SAY WHAT?.... you may talk funny with the Herbst at first.  Reading aloud or spending a lot of time on the phone will solve this problem.

    DROOLING AND OTHER MINOR DISCOMFORTS.... Swallowing may seem difficult at first, but it gets better.  Do keep swallowing -- it is the best cure for the initial drooling response, which will decrease after about 24 hours.  Your gum tissue around the chrome crowns may be sensitive during the first day.  Warm salt water (8oz. water + half tsp. salt) rinses help this tremendously. For this soreness, or just general discomfort when getting adjusted to your new Herbst, take the appropriate dosage of Advil, Tylenol, etc.

       TROUBLE SHOOTING.... occasionally the Herbst will come apart when the lower rod comes out of the upper sleeve--especially when you yawn too wide or when you are trying to show your friends how wide you can open your mouth!  Avoid these two activities.  Usually, you can reassemble the two pieces following the instructions given to by Dr. Yorek.  For instructions on how to clean your Herbst "THE PLAQUE PATROL".

    A LAST WORD FOR PARENTS....the Herbst appliance has worked miracles for hundreds children in our office.  Keep this fact sheet in mind during the first week of treatment!  Your child will eventually accept this mechanical distraction, and things will return to normal again.  Call us anytime if you have a question, problem or concern.  Your partnership is invaluable to us and your child.