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I had both the Herbst, then rubber bands. I hated the Herbst, but eventually I got used to it, and I still think it's better than having headgear. I had to have rubber bands once I got my Herbst off in order to finish aligning everything. Here's a tip: With my Herbst, I found that if I opened my mouth wide enough, I could pull the rods out of their sleeves, thus freeing my jaw from the device. I only did it for short periods (eating and such), but it felt SOOO good to be able move my jaw around.

I just got mine today. So far, no pain, just a weird feeling. I ate some yogurt, all good. Hopefully eat some more solids later on tonight. I did take advil like three minutes after, so that was good. Mine will be on for one year....

well people the herbst is not that painfull if you take advil ext. this is my second day of having it it hurts a little. get a lot of wax as much as you can or it will get eratated. dont use cotton balls in the back of your mouth you can chock have to were it for one year

I've had my appliance since last janurary. I'm forced to wear it for a whole year!! When the orthodontist said the herbst is basically rubber bandson steroids. I decided to take the herbst becasue i thought I was sssoooo tough. MMMAANNN i didn't know what i was getting myself into. The spacers weren't so bad, but when they put the actual thing in I found out how tough I really was.

I would always get so mad at my orthodontist because he didn't tell me that I would have to get the expander! And on the tooth model he showed me the expander wasn't there. If I knew i had to get that stupid expander I would've never gotten the herbst. I remember that the pain lasted for 5 days! All I ate was soup. IT took me about a month or two to get used to food getting stuck under the expander. I taught myself how to blow food out of it. It was ssoo nasty.

When i got the expander out about a month and a half ago I was ssoo happy! I hadn't felt the roof of my mouth in 8 months!
I still don't like the herbst. I'm always having probs like cement coming off or hinge thingy messing up. A less than two months till i get it off. I can't wait! Braces aren't bad, but the herbst is terrible.

hey guys:)
ok first of all im getting my hebst tomorrow and im feakin out man!!! mostley cuz halloween is 2 days away( btw: im being a baseball player!!!) and i already had my expander taken out when they did my impressions 2 days ago and will it hurt how long does it take to get it put on an what kind of my hallowwen goodies can i be able to eat soon???HELP!!!

I just got mine yesterday sleeping was disasteros a it hurt like crazy I can't talk sing or eat and I horseback ride so I haven't been doing that does the herbst pain and no eating and talking go away??????
Please help

My Daughter got her herbst last year...they broke and fell apart 2 times., now we have to go back., they fell apart now a third time. All she ate was a candy bar., and brushed her teeth. Pieces started falling out little at a time...even the bracket around the mollar. This time., they will tell me I have to pay for the repair. Absolutley crazy. Last time it tore a filling out., and she had to get a new filling in, they kept telling me she ate something hard. She ate a hot dog. the herbst was due to come out in November...if I have to pay., they will take the whole things out...then she'll have to get the bottom braces put on...with rubber bands. these things are rediculous...they hurt her for a long time...sores in her mouth...wax doesn't even help these things...cotton looks like the mumps. They should invent something stronger, and less painful. $6000.00....very over-priced.

I got the Herbst Appliance 3 months ago and have about 4-5 more to go! during the first week, I chewed with my front teeth and tried a couple times with the back. It took a little getting used to and get this... the NIGHT after I got it put on, I have a band concert (I play the flute) and it SUCKED but I think I did alright. lol. one of the worst problems is that since I have all of this metal in my mouth, whenever I talk to my friends and say "S", I spit on them by accident ;{. Also, my jaw sometimes pops if I move it side to side but thats cuz it gets sore from just staying in the same spot for too long so I have to move it around. I hope anyone found this helpful!
-K
(P.S. have any pain killers like advil/tylenol/ibprophen/motrin etc. you will def need it!!!)

I just got mine 2 days ago it is so hard to eat with it it brothers me when I try to eat but its only once in a life time so i say don't hate it u will get use to it in a week or 2 I find it really easy to drink but i just don't wont to live on soup for 1 year like i have no problem with it just eat it and i take advil for the pain like if u have the Herbst appliance just wait and it will get better dont think about riping them off like just picture your self in 5 years your going to have nice teeth. Its worth it if u hate it just ask your ortho if there is any other treatment like rubberband but a lot of people dont have a choice like me i didn't a choice si i am just trying not to think of it hope this help

Kids,
I am a Mom, whom sought the best possible "fix" for my son in 1993. His lower jaw was not meeting his upper jaw, he appeared to have an awful overbite. Kids made fun of him all through his childhood growing up. I had to find a way to take the tears away. When he hurt, I was hurting with him. The Herbst appliance back then was relatively new-certainly, he experienced muscle spasms, speech was deterred. A learning curve to control the Herbst.He put his best fight forward and I pitched in with making sure he had available what he could eat/swallow to fill the empty void. Each day, I took him "lunch" I took him off campus (junior year) so he could eat in privacy each day,most would be down the front of his shirt the first few days, but as time went by, he became better at the changes. kids made fun of him all the years growing up-the tears everyday, i cried with him often. There had to be something to fix his teeth. When found, and the Herbst was put into place, I assumed it would take time b4 seeing a profound improvement. It was the same day-my son looked normal ! I cried all the way home all those tears he had as a child. He is now 35, the most beautiful smile! His daughter is about to embark on the same procedure, I am to understand it is less invasive as it was in 1993/94- A price he paid then, is the outcome he still has to this day. The days pass, it gets better. Count your blessings!

I also have braces and expander :( • •
^^^^

Well i just got my herbst saturday morning and its monday afternoon so about 2 days ago i got this thing it kills its a pain its annoying you can chew eat talk clearly it gave me a rash right below both ends of my lip wish makes me look like a bleeding vampire....well a red rashy one. it makes your cheeks look puffy and no u can over expand it cuz its fixed with cement i tried taking it out but it wont work....heres a way to put it....if u wanna lose weight really badly and starve urslef, then the herbst is right for u.....eventually u'll get fatter cuz once u start eating normally ull gain about more than ten pounds cuz of u had an irregular eating... im takning mine off saturday im exited i said many bad words a lot of bad words and im only 15 going on 16 in august its may yippe and we had to do a speech 2day in school and i couldnt talk clearly. i advise not to have it.... the orthandontist said that the other alternative which is rubber bands takes longer but i would rather have that and he told me rite after he put on the appliance whoch took about an hour. a really boring hour. its so stupid like a bunch of useless metal in ur mouth... it unhooked about 56 times since i got it so i dont get the point if the part that really helps ur bite unhooks like a million times will do anything if its going to keep doing that. i know 5 people who had the herbst for like 4-6 days and got it off rite away.... hope this helped

OMIGOSH i just got mine a couple of days ago... all i can eat is ensure (energy drink) and peanut butter. the sliders pinch my cheek on the top near my back molars and i have to put gauze pads in there, thus making me a chipmunk. cant talk... and i cant kiss my kitty without pinching- even through the gauze... meh!

I got It yesterday and it sucks so much. My back teeth don't meet either and I'm so annoyed. I've had yogurt and pudding for lunch the past two days and I'm sooooooo hungry. It keeps pinching my tounge. My friends keep making comments like you look like a robot and stuff. I personally think I look like a chipmunk with two bumps beneath my lip. Sadly, I too play flute and I haven't been able to make a sound yet. Does anyone have any tips?

These things suck!!! i got it yesterday. i cant eat. its like you put the food in your mouth but nothing goes down your throat. it all gets stuck in the patlet expander. i have three things: the Herbst, patlet expander, and braces!! its horrible!!!hopefully it gets better like everyone says. all i eat is soup and yogurt. its funny cause my doc didnt say anything about rubber bands. my friends call me stuff like robotic mouth and transformer mouth which is pretty funny!! lol!!

Hey, I'm 12 and I got mine yesterday. I can eat mashed potatoes, soup, yogurt and ice cream. Tried corn but I lost it in my mouth, literally! Drinking is quite easy and i have it lucky because anywhere we go out to eat its a buffet. I am only going to have to have this for 6 months. The side piece is jabbing into my mouth but i try to ignore it. I play volleyball and whenever I hit the ball it hurts I also cheer so no clue what to do there. Any ideas?

Hi-has anyone ever gotten headaches after having their herbst appliance adjusted?. I know someone that started getting them after their first adjustment. I would really appreciate any help. Thank you. c.s.dude

OH MY GOD I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL!
Today I got my herbst on and... Let's just say it isn't nice.
I thought I could eat something, such as McDonalds Fries so I got a large pack.
One fry took me literally an entire minute to get CLOSE to swallowing.
I'm not eating dittly SQUAT besides yogurt and canned soup for a year.

I just got my herbst yesterday, and it's not too bad, except one of my arms is shorter than the other and the longer one slides so much easier than the short one. I'm afraid this will screw up my jaw and I don't want to practice eating because of it. What should I do? Does anyone else have this?

Hello, this is the Instructables Instructor. The Herbst only feels sore for the first week and you will be able to chew after 1-2 weeks.

 argghghfgf i just got my herbst on yesterday, i am seriously freaking out. i read all the comments people say the pain goes but ability to eat never comes back! i have to have mine on for a year, my mouth is seriously soo sore like ah im almost crying every time i move my mouth. i cant speak or chew anything, anything i try and eat jst gets stuck up the top of my mouth in the pallet expander. i HATE this thing just want to rip it out :(  it better get better, i havent eaten properly since i got it in. waaaaa

i have to get the herbst and braces at the same time. it suxs :(

I'm getting them in like a monthish time, and before i had no idea about all this stuff with it! now i'm kinda nervous to get it, cuz i heard about peoples jaws locking and popping when they got theres off. i dont know anybody who's had it so i can't get advice from them. HEEEELLPPPP!
oh and also, they took my molds like a few days ago, cuz im getting a herbst only 2 weeks before i get my braces so i'll have both!
i just lost one of my teeth yesterday, and like i said above ^ i just got my molds, so will that affect anything?
anyywayyy, i hope its not too bad, soo wish me luck, and if possible please reply and help meeeee (:
thanks a bunch < tehe

i just got mine on today & its not even that bad. i have already had a retainer type thing at the top of my mouth so its not a bother. although the bottom one is a bit annoying. im not bitting down at all. im bitting down on my front teeth. they said thats how its supposed to be because its supposed to "over correct" my bite? my advice to you if your just getting yours on is to not stress or worry about it. stay calm & just chill, its just a VERY small portion of your life to help you with the rest of your life, no matter HOW long your getting yours on for. if you have any specific questions message me at ilylola@yahoo.com, i can help you <3

OMG i can bilieve i have to get it im kinda scared lol but im 13 and ive read alot about it not hurting and some about it hurting so idk guess ill just find out i guess so oh well i mean idk kinda nervous im getting braces and this stupid thing on the same day so im kind of mad i didnt even get a choice but if i had of chose i would of chose rubber bands anyday i just got spacers today they werent bad at all but if you have any advice or anything please contact me thank you

 Hi everyone.. 
Not sure this is the right place for this question, but seems like your all experts.

I am a 37 yr old male, and my two ortho,s are argueing if i should have a herbst appliance or not.

Iam aware of the dangers and problems with herbst appliances, I really want one of these appliances because i think it will fix the many bite problems that i have. As well as a overbite i do not bite in the same position, it seems to change during the day. So it should fix that problem aswell.

Can an Adult of my age use one of these appliance or am i too old for it to even work. 

Thanks

It doesnt hurt. I also commented on this a sec ago but ive had the caps on my teeth for a month along with the palette expander but my bottom caps were loose so they had to take them off and re cement them (alot of blood) and put them back on b4 they put the acctual arms on.

I got one this morning, so far it is not that bad. I can chew swallow and everything. I have had braces for quit a while now and have a palette expander which put a huge gap in my teeth. The herbst is not that bad but you cant stuff your jaws with food or let a lollipop hang out in the side of your jaw like normal, lol. Truth is it does pretty much suck.

i have learned a few things about the Herbst appliance knowing a 12 year old who just had one removed after 9 months of wearing it. Things you should know: 1. there are better alternatives 2. the clinical data is skewed a bit questioning the reliability of the results 3. bacteria can easily build up and cause gigivitis around the molar attachments (bad breath) 4. difficulty swallowing can form: a general safety hazard to say the least 5. there may be trace metal that some people are highly sensitive too: ex. nickle- watch for breakouts or other skin reactions to the metal ions 6. the orthodontist is supposed to do a 'fit test' before cementing it in place (per the manufacturers instructions) if he/she does not do this you can get cuts inside your mouth from the plungers not seating properly in the mouth (as happened to the one I know) 7. your molars can shift (thankfully many can shift back) 8. your jaw muscles can become distorted and there are studies being done regarding the long-term effects to the jaw joints which can lead to arthritis in the area 9. the front bottom teeth can tip forward and for some this may be permanent and unwanted new position of those teeth 10. I think the Herbst appliance is a moneymaker for the orthodontist who finds it easier- if he/she has not told you of the above they do not have your best interest at heart and have not informed you/parents of all of the facts and problems that can arise as a result of this appliance. 11. the cement used to fix the crowns can sometimes have negative effects on those with latext alergies so find out what is being put in your mouth. 12. check out the website www.angleorthodontist.com and do your research - don't you want to know what they are talking about when you are sitting in the chair? look for glossaries with ortho terminology

hi i have already commented 10 comments bellow this comment :)
i have made a video JUST for all of you! here is a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQYVP8VpvNY

Guys, come on! Just think one measly year (or a little more) for a beatuful, perfect smile. I personally think its worth it. Okay so maybe you have to eat soup for a few days, and it hurts. Take some advil! Haha. I have one. Im just fine :) Hope you make it through! ;)

i got mine on 4 days ago (12/5). i got it with braces too. it didnt hurt then, but it hurt the next day. i got over it today. i can finaly chew! it didnt take too long. =) anyway, it was kinda fun gettin the sympathy from friends and teachers. =)

this thing is a pain, i got it yesterday =( it doesnt really hurt at all but is REALLY annoying!!! when i eat i dont even chew my food...well icant, and food always gets stuck in the top one!!! i can kinda talk but when i tried to sing i couldnt, i just hope it gets easier, one good thing is that my profile looks much better and that i dont have to get surgery to fix the problem (like some people have) i am marking done the days until it comes off =)

i just got my herbst today.. im not rele in alot of pain but i cant chew! its driving me nuts. every time i swallow my food gets stuck in the top retainer thingy on the roof of my mouth.

I had it for 7 months, got so annoyed with it i ended up breaking it :D! Somehow i dont know lol, but yeah it was easier to break since i had teeth pulled out before i got the herbst on :D, and yea i didnt have the teeth in so it had nothing to support on so wen i pushed the bit it came out of place. I like celebrated wen i broke it rofl. Got it off the next day ;). I couldnt eat proberly for the first month and a half i like lived off a chocolate and like a mandarin every day.

hey i just my mine yesterday, and I CANNOT EAT! I criend at dinner cause I couldnt chew my perogies. I look like a bulldog now. Ugggggggggggg I HATE THESE THINGS

well I just got this appliance today. it is so annoying...I can't even talk! or chew! but my mom said that I can go back and get it taken off on Monday if it still bothering me(and it will be) but the weird thing is that my orthodontist didn't even mention that rubberbands are another option! well I will ask him on Monday

i have this very uglyy contraption. how long is this usually worn? [months, years, etc.] and how can i get my normal speech back?

I got mine in today. I'll just post what i typed to answer a question from yahoo: Ok, i just got mine in today. What I understand so far is: Basically its preventing me from closing my jaw together completely (probably about a 1cm gap). I guess this makes you speak, eat, and do everything else different to adjust to this (which makes this seem very primitive :P ok youre preventing me from chewing, when i chew i bring my jaw back... not allowed to bring the jaw back, problem solved... teeth will adjust to it). And this causes your lower jaw to grow forward faster. So far, I've taken the 2 tubes apart probably 4 or 5 times from this afternoon to now. I can't help it, i want to understand this. And i read the part about speaking and eating, but only on 1 of the numerous sites i searched. Mine didn't fit so well getting it on because my teeth shifted from the impressions from forever ago. I havent heard of this happening to anyone else but getting it on was the worst for me. And now my whole mouth is just sore but not nearly as bad as first getting braces on, and i got one of those big spacers with the key back in the roof of my mouth so i can't swallow any pills to relieve the pain :P I did read that this has no effect on the craniomandibular system for a long-term effect (recorded after 7 and a half years since the appliance was out). And if that has anything to do with what the goal of this thing is, I want to have my orthodontist take this out. He said a lot of people whine and complain the first few days but it gets better. I honestly think that I will lose a lot of weight, and if not a lot of nutrition due to the lack of variety of foods i can eat. I don't understand how anyone could get used to this, it hurts my teeth its attached to whenever i bite down a decent amount. I don't want to live off soup, mashed potatoes and applesauce for a year so I'm seriously curious about what the orthodontist will do if i ask him to take it out. Weighing 115 at the age of 16 is already bad enough. If u want I can get back to you each night for a while, just e-mail me (GJL91@yahoo.com). Haha and don't forget how different my speech will be now, i have to say I'm gonna be really embarrassed by the looks and effects other than me just showing people. Sorry if it feels like i'm rambling on to you but i'm just trying to include everything i know (facts and opinions) because i would like the same if i were in your situation. Every comment i've read has pretty much been 50/50 of comments positive or negative about it so i'm not sure how it will work out. Best of luck to you... and me :P Ohh and no idea for the range that you should expect, i got the same estimations.

i've had mine for a couple of months...once you get used to it it's not all that bad in about 2 weeks your mouth will get used to it and you can eat with your back teeth again. Also your cheeks will feel sore for a little while but your mouth will get used to that to. i really dislike the rubber bands so i didn't get those!

lol i chew with my front teeth...

i got mine yesterday... i cannot chew either.

Got mine off. Had it on for a week. Couldnt get the teeth to touch in the back still... I ate a chewy bar once, pretty much the only thing besides soup and potatoes. I ended up chewing with the metal part and it hurt... In 1 week i lost 5 pounds. I have at least a month or two before theyre considering anything else? Weird... idk but i only have a few braces on the top and bottom now, first time ever. its nice

oh and do u still have yours on? e-mail me please and tell me what happened for you :) gjl91@yahoo.com

Can you elaborate on what it is? I have never heard of it.