Also called elastics, elastic braces bands are essentially rubber bands attached to brackets between upper and lower or front and back teeth. They are used during the bite alignment stage of your braces treatment to apply enough tension to the teeth to move them in ways according to the treatment objectives.
How do elastic rubber bands work?
In orthodontics, rubber bands (elastics) are used to align and correct any bite problems. Orthodontic elastic bands pull your jaw forward or backward according to the treatment objectives and help accelerate the whole orthodontics treatment.
These bands are made of medical-grade latex, which applies the necessary tension to move teeth to their appropriate position. Therefore, elastics focus on moving and aligning your bite and jaw, fixing the following problems:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Open bite
- Crossbite
Do rubber bands on braces help?
Yes. Elastics help align patients’ bites and are among the most important (if not the most important) parts of orthodontics treatment. However, they should be worn as indicated by the orthodontist since any change can slow down the process and even cause significant problems to the patient’s teeth.
Do rubber bands for braces hurt?
Your teeth and jaws may feel different (and even hurt) during the first days of wearing elastics. It is normal to feel this way, and it usually gets better after the first couple of days. However, if there is chronic pain due to elastics, you need to talk with your orthodontist to ensure that there is no underlying problem causing or enhancing the pain.
Can elastic rubber bands for braces cause headaches?
As stated before, elastic rubber bands for braces can make your jaws and teeth feel tender and sore. All the new tension can also cause headaches during the first days. So, if you get a headache when first wearing rubber bands, you can take over-the-counter pain killers to relieve the pain.
When do I need to wear elastics?
Elastics need to be worn all the time, with the only exceptions being when eating or cleaning your tee. Not properly wearing elastics can slow down the whole orthodontics process. You will also need to change elastics at least three times a day when waking up when going to bed, and after each meal.
Where to get braces in the Phoenix Metro area?
If you are looking for a place to get your orthodontics treatment, you can come to Somos Dental. At Somos Dental we are the home of the most affordable braces in the Phoenix Metro area. You can call us at our number 623-404-9258 or fill our online form to get a first free appointment. We have six different locations at Downtown Phoenix, Desert Sky Mall, Mesa, Laveen, Avondale, and Camelback.
Get a free laptop when you prepay your braces for only $1,999
We wanted to give the best present that it can be given, the presence of a beautiful white smile. In Somos Dental you can get a free laptop when you prepay your braces.You can schedule your appointment by filling our online form, which will also give you a free diagnostic appointment, so you get your braces while also taking care of your finances.
