Activator

The patient bites down on the device, or when they close their jaws, a forced movement is made through the teeth. This is counteracted by a reflex mechanism originating from the root canal of the teeth, so the masticatory muscles are activated and the mandible is reflexively pushed into the position corresponding to the construct bite. The articular head thus leaves its resting position, a gap is created between the head and the condyle and this triggers an increased and corresponding growth of the head. This "jumping the bite" effect works for all construction bite devices, typically all activators. The maxilla is counteracted by a retrusion of the maxillary arch and a posterior change in the direction of maxillary growth.