Distalizers or Headgear in Utah

Distalizers and orthodontic headgear are orthopedic appliances used to influence jaw growth and molar positioning in growing children. At Utah Orthodontic Care, we offer these devices as part of early-phase, non-invasive treatment options designed to create better space for erupting teeth, improve facial balance, and correct underlying skeletal discrepancies — all before full braces become necessary.

These appliances are typically recommended during Phase I Orthodontics, when a child’s jaw is still growing and adaptable. They are particularly useful for children with protruding upper teeth, significant overbites, or limited space due to molar misalignment. While the design and function vary between distalizers and headgear, both work to guide the back teeth (molars) into a more ideal position and promote proper jaw relationships.

Orthodontists use distalizing appliances and headgear to correct conditions involving jaw misalignment or insufficient space. These devices are commonly recommended for:

• Retracting upper molars that are too far forward
• Correcting Class II malocclusion (upper jaw protrusion)
• Adjusting discrepancies in jaw size and positioning
• Preventing crowding of front teeth by making space in the back
• Influencing jaw growth to reduce overjet or overbite
• Reducing the need for future tooth extractions or surgery

Early diagnosis through growth and development evaluations helps us determine whether a child would benefit from orthopedic correction as part of a broader space and growth management plan.

At Utah Orthodontic Care, we use different appliances depending on the treatment goals and age of the patient. These include:

Fixed Distalizers

Distalizers are intraoral devices bonded to the molars. They work by applying gentle pressure to move the molars backward, creating space in the dental arch. This controlled movement allows for the correct eruption of permanent teeth and can improve the bite before full braces are considered.

• Worn continuously
• Minimal maintenance
• Commonly used with lower lingual holding arches for balanced movement

Orthodontic Headgear

Headgear is an external appliance attached to bands on the molars via a facebow. It uses pressure outside the mouth to encourage or restrict jaw growth depending on the direction of force.

• Typically worn at night and part-time during the day
• Adjusts growth trajectory of upper or lower jaws
• Often recommended when skeletal correction is needed in addition to dental alignment

Patients may wear these devices in combination with other early treatment options such as habit appliances or functional appliances to achieve optimal results.