Elastics For Braces

You thought your braces were overwhelming before, now you have to use rubber bands too? Why do you need them and what do they even do? Dr. Cynthia Wong of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, located in Orland Park, can help. Rubberbands (elastics) are used to realign the jaws and teeth. It’s often one of the last steps in your treatment plan.

 

There are several parts that create and make up your braces. There are the brackets, the little square pieces of metal bonded to the front of your teeth. Then there’s the archwire. It connects the brackets and applies pressure. Ligatures are the colorful bands around each bracket that keep the wire in place.

 

Rubber bands, or interarch rubber bands, connect to the brackets with hooks. They attach the top tooth bracket to the lower tooth bracket. Depending on the patient, the rubber bands will either hook diagonally or in a zigzag pattern. Elastics pull the jaw forward or backward. This adjusts the teeth and jaw properly. The results are teeth that line up right. Rubber bands need to be worn 24/7. They will not work correctly if left off, even for small amounts of time.

 

Make sure to remove your rubber bands during meals. You should also remove them when cleaning your teeth and braces. Typically, rubber bands are replaced periodically throughout the day. This keeps the rubber bands from being stretched too thin or breaking.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, contact Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics. We are located in Orland Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong, visit our website or call 708-444-8341.