Elastics (rubber bands) are worn for many reasons. They are designed to move sections of your teeth or your whole mouth. Different sizes and thicknesses are used so that your teeth move gradually. Please wear your elastics as much as possible during the requested times. Never wear your elastics while you are eating, swimming or playing sports. The more you wear your rubber bands, the more quickly your teeth will move. Not wearing them can result in longer treatment time. Change your elastics at least once a day. As with any new activity, there will be a period of adjustment. Occasionally elastics may cause your teeth or jaw to be sore or sensitive. This sensitivity should go away after one to two weeks, as long as you wear them every day and night. You may take either Tylenol or Advil during this period to stop the soreness. If you stop wearing your rubber bands for a few days and then put them on again, the sensitivity will not go away. Always call our office if you have any questions about how to put them on or when to wear them.
Box Elastics
WHY: Your specific elastics are designed to bring your top and bottom teeth together. If your teeth don’t line up, pressure can build on certain teeth, causing them to shift over time. Our goal is to make sure that pressure is spread evenly over all chewing surfaces.
WHEN: You need to wear your elastics seven days a week, 24 hours a day, or as often as possible. The only time you will take them out is for meals, swimming or sports.
HOW: Wear your elastics from your upper canine teeth to your lower canine teeth with one corner of the rubber band around each elastic hook.
Class I Elastics
WHY: Your specific elastics move your front teeth back. If your teeth don’t line up, pressure can build on certain teeth, causing them to shift over time. Our goal is to make sure that pressure is spread evenly over all chewing surfaces.
WHEN: Wear your specific elastics seven days a week, 24 hours a day, or as often as possible. The only time you will take them out is for meals, swimming and sports.
HOW: Wear your elastics from your canine teeth (the pointed ones) to your first molars (the large ones with bands on them) on the top and/or bottom. (Essentially, from the front to the back).
Class II Elastics
WHY: Your specific elastics are designed to close the space between your top and bottom teeth. If your teeth don’t line up, pressure can build on certain teeth causing them to shift over time. Our goal is to make sure that pressure is spread evenly over all chewing surfaces.
WHEN: Wear your elastics seven days a week, 24 hours a day, or as often as possible. The only time you will take them out is for meals, swimming and sports.
HOW: Wear your elastics from your upper canine teeth (the pointed ones) to your lower first molars (the large ones with the bands on). (Essentially, from the top, front to the bottom, back as illustrated below).
Class III Elastics
WHY: Your elastics are designed to close the space between your top and bottom teeth. If your teeth don’t line up, pressure can build on certain teeth, causing them to shift over time. Our goal is to make sure that pressure is spread evenly over all chewing surfaces.
WHEN: Wear your elastics seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The only time you will take them out is for meals, swimming and sports.
HOW: Wear your elastics from your lower canine teeth (the pointed ones) to your upper first molars (the large ones with the bands on). (Essentially, from the bottom, front to the top, back).
Up and Down Elastics
WHY: Your elastics are designed to close spaces between your top and bottom teeth. If your teeth don’t line up, pressure can build on certain teeth, causing them to shift over time. Our goal is to make sure that pressure is spread evenly over all chewing surfaces.
WHEN: Wear your elastics seven nights a week. You do not need to wear these during the day unless specifically instructed to do so.
HOW: Wear your elastics from your lower first molars (the large ones with the bands on) to your lower canine teeth (the pointed ones), weaving up and down in a zig-zag pattern including every tooth. They are to be worn on both the left and the right sides.