Patient Education
Elastics, or rubber bands, are an important part of orthodontic treatment. They supply the pressure needed to move teeth and jaws into their correct position. Therefore, to achieve the desired results, you must carefully follow the instructions you receive regarding their placement and use. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make you treatment take longer.
Why do I need to wear elastics?
Rubber bands or "elastics" are used during orthodontic treatment to help move the teeth and align the bite of the upper and lower teeth. Rubber bands attach to small hooks on the braces and are taken on and off by the patient. Unless otherwise directed, wear your elastics 24 hours a day. Remove them when brushing your teeth or during meals (if necessary) then put them back on immediately. Always carry a few elastics with you so that if one should break, you can re place it right away. If your supply is low, call the office and we will mail you an additional supply of elastics.
What happens if I forget to wear elastics?
Teeth never fail to move when elastics are worn consistently, as directed by the orthodontist. When elastics are worn one day and left off the next, tooth movement does not continue as rapidly, and often no change takes place. This is caused by the jiggling of the teeth back and forth within the bone, a condition that actually sets up resistance to normal movement. If you follow the instructions exactly, you will get better, faster and more com fortable results. This leads to the removal of your braces in a shorter period of time.
What will it feel like?
There is often some initial discomfort when elastics are first worn, but this discomfort disappears after one to three days. If you stop wearing the elastics during the periods of discomfort, slower tooth movement often re sults, and the discomfort will return when the elastics are replaced. Soreness in the jaw joint area, however, is abnormal. Elastic wear should be discontinued if any problems occur in the jaw joint area. Problems can include pain, clicking or grating sensation, and the inability to open or close the mouth. In case of problems in the jaw joint region, discontinue elastic wear and call our office immediately.,/p>
When should you replace them?
New elastics should be used each day, as the old elastics tend to lose their elasticity with time. It is not necessary to change the elastics more than once a day. You should call the office if you are having trouble getting the elas tics hooked properly, if you run out of elastics, or if there is any reason you cannot wear your elastics as directed. At each appointment, check with us to see if you should continue to wear your elastics, (and grab a back-up supply if needed).