AboutJoel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS Expertise I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and I am available to answer questions related to tooth extractions, implant insertion, facial recontruction, facial and oral tumor removal, TMJ dysfunction and various successful treatments, including surgery if all else fails, and occlusal discrepancy requiring orthognathic or jaw surgery.
Experience Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicine for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor and State University School of Dentistry.
Organizations American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Education/Credentials BA
DMD
Awards and Honors National Honor Society (OKU), Philadelphia County Dental Society, Mosby Book Award, Oral Surgery Honors, Summa Cum Laude
Question After reading your previous responses regarding the herbst, I am concerned. First, let me give you some background. My identical twin sister and I both had braces as teens, our teeth moved significantly in our early 20's. Later she had major (upper and lower jaw) surgery to correct a major bite problem we both have (recessed chin and narrow pallat), then had braces again. Her smile is now beautiful. I have not had the surgery due to cost. My daughter and her son both inherited this problem. The ortho explained to me that the herbst and expander would prevent the need for surgery later on. Have you seen this or in your opinion is the herbst NEVER a good option. We did get 2 ortho opinions and both said w/out the herbst her teeth would never stay straight and that they needed to fix the bite problem with the herbst. Thank you for any input.
Lesa Semon
Nashville
Answer Lesa - I can only give you my experience with watching the effects of the Herbst Appliance. I have seen jaws reshaped and the teeth moved, but what found to be the worst effect of the appliance is the damage to the temporomandibular joint. That is the joint where the lower jaw integrates with the upper jaw and skull. This joint lies in front of the ear on both sides and you can feel the joint working if you place a finger in front of your ear on the skin and open and close. The movement there is not a hinge. This joint is unlike any other joint in our bodies. This is a joint that both hinges and slides at the same time. Those patients treated with the Herbst, that I have experience with, had degeneration of the joint surfaces and the cartilage in the joint.
So that is my opinion and also of doctors like me who have seen patients with problems due to the Herbst. Any more questions, feel free to contact me again.
