Find out more about elastics, or rubber bands, and how they are used in orthodontic care.
About Elastics
We use elastics to help fix the bite, or to help move teeth into place. They can be used to correct overbite, underbite, crossbite, or to help pull teeth down or up into place.
Benefits of Using Elastics
Elastics are the easiest and most comfortable way to fix the bite. For elastics to work, they have to be in most of the time - about 22 hours a day. If they aren’t in enough, they don’t work. If they aren’t working, sometimes we have to resort to more invasive or bulky methods to correct the bite. In some cases there are no other options besides the elastics to do what we need to do.
Tips for Patients Using Rubber Bands
Elastics stretch out over time, so they need to be replaced 4-5 times a day.
You should remove the elastics to eat and brush your teeth, and then put fresh elastics in right after.
Elastics can make your teeth sore at first, but if you keep using them your teeth will adjust.
If you stop wearing them every time your teeth get sore, you will never get used to them.
Start Your Journey to a Beautiful Smile with Elastics
Schedule your free consultation today, and let us help you create a unique treatment plan to improve your smile.