A review of orthodontic face-bow injuries and safety equipment.

Reports of soft tissue injuries from orthodontic face-bows have continued to appear in the dental and medical publications since the American Association of Orthodontists reported problems in 1975. In 1994 the results of a preliminary survey of face-bow injuries of the orthodontic societies and dental schools in Europe recorded nine serious injuries. The results of a recent face-bow injury survey of orthodontic practitioners in the United Kingdom and Eire recorded 33. The relative effectiveness of current extraoral traction safety products is discussed in relation to the cause of these continuing injuries.