Helmet Therapy
Head Shaping Process with CranioWell HKM Pro Helmet
Step-by-step guide to the head shaping process with the CranioWell HKM Pro cranial helmet: from first assessment to treatment completion.
How the Head Shaping Process Works: Step by Step
Correcting a baby's head shape with the CranioWell HKM Pro cranial helmet follows a clear, structured process. From your first visit to treatment completion, here is what to expect at each stage.
Step 1: Initial Assessment
The process begins with a clinical assessment at a CranioWell Ortez Protez Centre. Our specialist examines your baby's head shape, assesses the type and severity of the deformity (plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, scaphocephaly), and determines whether helmet therapy is appropriate.
You can request a pre-assessment via our online form or by calling 0551 706 87 19.
Step 2: 3D Head Scan
If helmet therapy is recommended, a 3D digital scan of your baby's head is taken at the centre. This takes just a few minutes and involves no radiation and no plaster moulds. The scan data is used to produce a helmet that matches your baby's head shape exactly.
Step 3: HKM Pro Helmet Production
Using the 3D scan data, the HKM Pro helmet is custom-manufactured in Turkey. The helmet is lightweight, well-ventilated, and produced to millimetre precision. This is one of the key advantages of the HKM Pro: every helmet is a unique product made for one specific baby.
Step 4: Fitting and Parent Training
When the helmet is ready, you return to the centre for the fitting appointment. Our specialist:
- Fits the helmet to your baby's head and checks for proper contact and comfort
- Verifies there are no pressure points or areas of excess tightness
- Explains and demonstrates the 23-hour wearing schedule (1 hour per day for bathing)
- Provides guidance on skin care, cleaning the helmet, and what to monitor at home
Step 5: Regular Follow-Up Visits
Visits are scheduled every 2 to 4 weeks throughout treatment. At each visit, the inner surface of the helmet is adjusted to create new growth space as the skull develops. Progress is assessed and parents have the opportunity to raise any concerns.
Step 6: Treatment Completion and Final Scan
Treatment ends when the target head shape has been achieved or when the baby's growth rate makes further correction impractical. A final 3D scan is taken and compared to the baseline to document the improvement.
Total treatment duration is typically 3 to 6 months, depending on the baby's age at the start of treatment and the severity of the deformity.
What Makes the HKM Pro Different?
- Domestically produced in Turkey — shorter lead times, full quality control
- Turkish Patent — registered proprietary technology
- ÜTS & EUDAMED — certified medical device in Turkey and the EU
- Hacettepe Teknokent R&D — developed under academic and clinical supervision
- 3D scanning — precision fit unique to each baby