American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam

High pull headgear primarily functions to manage patients with a hyperdivergent facial phenotype by restricting the vertical dentoalveolar development of the maxilla. In individuals with a hyperdivergent growth pattern, there tends to be an excessive vertical dimension, often leading to dental and skeletal issues such as an open bite. By applying an upward and posterior force on the maxilla, high pull headgear effectively limits excessive vertical growth and helps maintain a more favorable occlusal plane.

This headgear helps in stabilizing the maxillary position while allowing for appropriate development of the mandible, thereby supporting a more balanced facial profile and correcting the open bite tendency. The constant force exerted by high pull headgear aids in controlling the vertical aspect of maxillary growth, which is critical in these patients to prevent further exacerbation of their skeletal issues.

This focus on vertical control distinguishes the high pull headgear from other orthodontic appliances, which may have different goals such as molar extrusion, promoting mandibular growth, or simply aligning teeth without addressing underlying skeletal concerns.