Facemask

Orthodontic Facemask

An orthodontic facemask — also called a reverse-pull headgear or protraction facemask — is an extraoral orthodontic appliance used in growing patients with Class III malocclusion to apply forward and downward traction to the maxilla. The appliance consists of a forehead pad, a chin pad, a midline vertical frame and an adjustable cross-bar to which inter-arch elastics are connected from intraoral attachments on the maxillary first molars, delivering a continuous protraction force that encourages forward maxillary growth and corrects the underbite. Dentalkart stocks the Koden Facemask alongside the U Ortho Facemask.

Types of Orthodontic Facemask

Delaire-Style Reverse-Pull Facemask

Delaire-style reverse-pull facemasks such as the Koden Reverse Pull Headgear Facemask use a chin pad and forehead pad connected by a midline vertical bar with a horizontal cross-bar at mouth level, delivering symmetrical protraction force at the maxillary first molars when inter-arch elastics are attached from the cross-bar to the intraoral maxillary attachments.

Petit-Style Adjustable Facemask

Petit-style adjustable facemasks such as the U Ortho Facemask use a similar chin-and-forehead-pad design with additional adjustment points at the cross-bar height and forehead pad angle, allowing the operator to customise the line of force vector to the individual patient's growth pattern and maxillary attachment height.

Chin & Forehead Pads & Replacement Components

Replacement chin pads, forehead pads, cross-bars and elastic connectors are sold as separate accessories to extend the service life of an existing facemask body and to allow chair-side adjustment between adjustment appointments when pad cushioning wears out or sizing needs to change as the patient grows.

When Is an Orthodontic Facemask Used?

An orthodontic facemask is used in growing paediatric and adolescent patients with developing Class III malocclusion — typically aged 7–12 years — where maxillary protraction is the primary treatment goal. The appliance is worn 12–14 hours per day (overnight wear plus 2–4 hours of after-school time) over 6–12 months alongside intraoral hyrax or quad-helix expanders, in conjunction with other extraoral appliances from the Intraoral & Extraoral Appliances range.

How to Choose the Right Facemask

Pick a Delaire-style reverse-pull facemask for routine Class III protraction in early-mixed-dentition patients with predictable growth pattern. Choose a Petit-style adjustable facemask when the case needs custom line-of-force adjustment, when the patient's vertical pattern is unusual or when chair-side cross-bar height adjustment will be needed during the treatment course. Match the chin and forehead pad sizes to the patient's facial morphology, and pair the facemask with a posterior anchorage Headgear appliance if the case also needs molar distalisation alongside maxillary protraction.

Brands of Orthodontic Facemasks at Dentalkart

The catalogue features the Koden Reverse Pull Headgear Facemask in the Delaire-style configuration and the U Ortho Facemask as the Petit-style adjustable option — covering both the standard symmetrical-force and the adjustable customisable-force facemask designs for paediatric Class III orthodontic correction in growing patients.

Why Buy Orthodontic Facemasks from Dentalkart

Dentalkart sources orthodontic facemasks directly from authorised manufacturers including Koden and U Ortho, with batch-coded packaging, cash-on-delivery, GST invoices and 110000+ pincode coverage across India. Practices can pair facemasks with the matched Facebow and related extraoral-appliance components for complete Class II and Class III correction kits in one bulk order.

What is an orthodontic facemask?

An orthodontic facemask, also called a reverse-pull headgear or protraction facemask, is an extraoral orthodontic appliance used in growing patients with Class III malocclusion to apply forward and downward traction to the maxilla. It consists of a forehead pad, a chin pad, a midline vertical frame and an adjustable cross-bar to which inter-arch elastics are connected from intraoral attachments on the maxillary first molars.

At what age is a facemask most effective?

An orthodontic facemask is most effective in growing paediatric and adolescent patients aged 7–12 years, when maxillary sutural growth is still active and forward protraction force produces both skeletal and dental change. After the cervical vertebral maturation stage CS3–CS4 the response is mostly dental rather than skeletal, and the appliance becomes much less effective for true maxillary protraction.

How many hours per day should the facemask be worn?

The facemask should be worn 12–14 hours per day for predictable maxillary protraction — typically overnight wear plus 2–4 hours of after-school time. Daytime wear is usually impractical because the appliance is visible and bulky, so most clinical protocols emphasise consistent overnight wear for the duration of the 6–12 month active treatment phase.

What is the difference between Delaire and Petit facemasks?

The difference between Delaire and Petit facemasks is the adjustability of the force vector: Delaire-style reverse-pull facemasks deliver symmetrical protraction force with a fixed cross-bar geometry, while Petit-style adjustable facemasks add adjustment points at the cross-bar height and forehead pad angle so the operator can customise the line of force to the individual patient's vertical pattern and maxillary attachment height.

Is a hyrax expander needed alongside a facemask?

A hyrax expander or quad-helix is typically needed alongside a facemask because rapid maxillary expansion (or weekly minor expansion) disarticulates the circumaxillary sutures and dramatically improves the response to forward protraction force. Combined RME-and-facemask protocols produce significantly greater skeletal maxillary advancement than facemask treatment alone.