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When you come to Robison Orthodontics with a concern about your child’s overbite, we may recommend the use of an appliance known as the Forsus Fatigue Resistance Device, more commonly known as Forsus. This device is approved to treat Class II malocclusions by guiding the jaw into the correct position to fix excessive overbite. We advise the use of Forsus because our team of skilled orthodontic professionals knows that it can adjust developing jaws to ensure the best smiles possible.
Forsus is a correction appliance that uses spring systems to guide the jaw and prevent overbite. It operates in a similar way to standard elastic but must be placed by an orthodontist. Forsus is ideal for those who fall under several categories, including those who have a difficult time wearing regular elastics or headgear and those with extreme overbite. While the needs of each patient are different, and Forsus may not be ideal for everyone, the appliance is a beneficial solution for many patients.
Correcting the overbite of a child early with the use of Forsus can even help prevent the need for jaw surgery later in life.
Forsus offers several benefits when compared to other methods of jaw alignment, like elastics and headgear.
These benefits include:
Forsus uses a simple system to align the jaw for those with various kinds of overbites. In fact, even the most severe overbite may be corrected with Forsus.
The installation for the Forsus appliance is fairly simple. It requires a few simple steps your child is likely already familiar with after their previous orthodontist visits.
First, it’s important to meet with Robison Orthodontics to learn more about the Forsus appliance – this way, you’ll be able to get any questions you have answered right away. During this appointment, you can decide if the appliance is right for you or your child. If you or your child have an excessive overbite that needs correction and would like an alternative to using headgear, your orthodontist may recommend Forsus.
Braces must be in place for Forsus use, as the appliance attaches to the braces, and teeth must have undergone initial straightening. Forsus is also used in conjunction with braces because the jaw must first become accustomed to using braces. Braces must be worn for a minimum of eight months before Forsus can be installed.
After eight to twelve months of braces use, your orthodontist can install the Forsus appliance. Spring coils are attached to the brackets on the upper molars, and a force rod is attached to a wire near the lower canines. The rod telescopes in and out of the spring coils, creating tension that directs the jaw into a perfect position. Your orthodontist must install Forsus on both sides of the
Every six weeks, you’ll return to Robison Orthodontics for a follow-up appointment. Your orthodontist will check the progress of the bite with the installation of the Forsus appliance. This confirms that Forsus is creating the intended results and is still a good solution for the issue.
After Forsus has been in place for the prescribed amount of time – anywhere from three to twelve months – Robison Orthodontics will determine whether it has fully readjusted the bite and corrected jaw issues. If this is the case, the appliance can be removed. Then, your orthodontist can make any final adjustments to the braces so that they can finish making their corrections.
As you can see, Forsus is a straightforward process that enables orthodontists to correct severe overbite within a short amount of time. Most patients wear Forsus for around six months, though your child’s unique bite issue may require a different treatment timeline.
Forsus is an incredibly effective system that offers a more discreet method of bite correction than other options like headgear and elastics. In addition, there are generally fewer wear and use restrictions than with either headgear or elastics. However, because Forsus is used with braces, it is important that patients follow the same restrictions and guidelines they would normally use with braces. Forsus has the capability of transforming bite and promoting dental health, but attention to these restrictions is crucial.
Any foods that are sticky, chewy, or hard can cause damage to brackets. As a result, these foods should be avoided for anyone wearing a Forsus appliance, as well. Foods like popcorn, gum, pretzels, and even ice should be avoided to limit damage to braces that may cause additional problems with Forsus appliances.
While Forsus is discreet and simple to wear, it is important to remember that Forsus can only be installed by an orthodontist. The device itself doesn’t typically need to be adjusted, but check-ups every six weeks are essential to monitor progress. After treatment, the device must be removed in-office by a skilled orthodontist.
As mentioned, the Forsus appliance is typically installed after braces have been in use for at least eight months. Frequently, braces must be used for a full 12 months before Forsus can be installed. This is because braces must be allowed to complete their initial job of aligning teeth and closing any large gaps between the teeth. After this time, the Forsus appliance is installed and must be worn for at least four to six months, but it may be worn for up to a year. As Forsus must be installed by an orthodontist, it cannot be removed by the individual for sleeping or eating.
If your child plans to play sports, a mouthguard is recommended. The mouthguard will protect not only your child’s teeth but also the orthodontic appliances involved.
The good news is that Forsus is simple to use and maintain, making it a convenient, effective system that gets results without frequent adjustments or visits. This can be a relief for many patients with extreme bite issues. However, there are still a few important things to keep in mind.
Much like getting braces can cause the mouth and jaw to feel a little sore, Forsus does take some getting used to. Acclimation typically takes only a few days, so patients don’t need to worry that the effects are long-term. For example, your cheeks may feel some discomfort as they adjust to the appliance, and if this lasts more than a few days, you may receive padding that can be situated between Forsus and the cheek. This can give the soft tissues of your mouth a break until the discomfort subsides.
Because Forsus is used in conjunction with braces, any issues with the braces may affect the Forsus appliance. If you or your child experiences a loose bracket, contact your orthodontist right away so that the bracket can be fixed. Repairing the bracket is typically an uncomplicated procedure and can be handled quickly before any further issues arise.
On rare occasions when the mouth is opened too wide, the Forsus spring may pop out of place. There’s no need to fret about this issue, as it can typically be fixed at home. Just open wide again and carefully reconnect the spring to where it had been engaged. However, if the spring comes out of the mouth entirely, contact your orthodontist right away to reinstall the appliance so that you won’t lose any progress.
As with braces, Forsus does create more places for food debris to get trapped. It also has more moving parts than your braces. Thus, it’s important that Forsus appliances are cared for properly to avoid dental issues and enhance the final results.
If you’ve recently visited Robison Orthodontics and our team suggested the use of the Forsus Appliance, browse these FAQs for answers to your most important questions.
Yes, you can eat with a Forsus appliance in place. This appliance is installed by your orthodontist and will stay in place until it has done its job correcting the jaw. Avoid eating anything too hard, chewy, or sticky, as these foods can displace or damage Forsus or your braces. Any foods that might require a lot of work to consume may need to be avoided if they can’t be broken into smaller pieces first.
First, you’ll need to have braces installed and let them complete the initial work of closing gaps and straightening teeth. It’s important that teeth are aligned and any gaps are closed before Forsus is installed, which can take up to a year. After that, Forsus can be installed, and the appliance is typically in place for three to twelve months while the bite is corrected; many people wear Forsus appliances for about six months.
If you open your jaw extra wide, the springs may disengage. This can be incredibly stressful the first time it happens, but there’s no need to worry: the issue can be fixed at home the same way it happened. Just open your jaw extra wide again and reconnect the Forsus spring. If the spring falls out completely, contact your orthodontist right away.
A severe overbite can create many issues, including troubled breathing, painful chewing, difficulty eating, tooth decay, gum disease, speech issues, jaw pain, and even temporomandibular disorders. Forsus can help to correct the issues caused by even the most severe overbite when installed with braces. Together, these appliances work to realign the jaw, correcting overbite and potentially preventing the need for jaw surgery.
For many patients, Forsus and braces can help to correct overbite. This can reduce the need for jaw surgery or other more invasive procedures later. Consult with Robison Orthodontics to see if Forsus is right for you or your child.
There are several factors that must be considered to determine the cost of the Forsus appliance. Some factors include the extent of the corrections needed and the amount of time needed to adjust the jaw. Each patient’s care requirements are unique, and the cost of the Forsus appliance isn’t a one-size-fits-all consideration. At Robison Orthodontics, our ultimate goal is to give access to as many patients as possible. Because of this, our care plans are kept as affordable as possible so that everyone can achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.
For more information from Robison Orthodontics, the Valley area’s premiere orthodontics team, contact our care team today. We’ll help you address your overbite concerns and inspire the perfectly aligned, healthy smile you’ve always wanted.
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