Elastics For Braces Where To Buy
Elastics are a key part of orthodontic treatment and learning how to remove and replace them is an important part of the process for most patients undergoing braces or clear aligner treatment. Before your orthodontist sets you on your journey to a perfect smile, they will make sure you understand all there is to know about this aspect of your treatment as the need for elastic wear will vary greatly from one person to another.
elastics for braces where to buy
As the type and size of elastics you are wearing would be recorded, you can usually pick some up from the patient reception desk at the practice or even have them mailed to you if this is more convenient.
It is best to talk to your orthodontist if you're experiencing difficulties with your elastic bands to ensure your treatment progresses as expected. However, you can also see if there are any behaviours you can adjust to keep your elastics in tact. This can include removing them while eating and brushing your teeth, and trying not to open your mouth too widely.
I got vertical elastics (canine to canine) and I'm wondering what would happen if I just don't wear them? as I cant deal with the pain and discomfort so what would be best to do? like if I dont wear the elastics will my teeth still come in place it will just take longer?
Hi Chloe, if you don't wear your elastics then your teeth won't be directed to come down into the position you want and it will likely extend your treatment significantly. However, you should speak to your orthodontist about your concerns and any issues you're having with your treatment to ensure you get their specialist opinion.
Elastic bands are often essential to orthodontic treatment. Small elastics fix the braces wire to the brackets on teeth, and longer bands are sometimes used to adjust the position of the jaw and the bite between the upper and lower teeth. Elastics for braces may need extra cleaning and care, but they can also be a fun way to express yourself with colors and styles.
It's the flexible stretching qualities of elastics that make them useful in orthodontic treatment. A set of traditional braces consists of three components: brackets that are bonded to the teeth, an archwire that runs through the brackets, and ligatures that fix the archwire to the brackets. The ligatures are small elastic bands. When it's time to adjust the braces, the orthodontist pops off the stretchy elastic bands, adjusts the archwire and then fixes it to the brackets again with new ligatures.
Another use for elastics in orthodontics is to connect brackets on the upper teeth with brackets in the lower teeth. These elastics are called interarch bands, and the pressure they exert repositions the jaw and improves the meeting of the upper and lower teeth over time. While orthodontists take care of removing and replacing ligatures, fixing, removing and replacing interarch elastic bands is the patient's responsibility.
Most elastics for braces are made from natural latex. The journal The Angle Orthodontist explains that natural latex rubber is the traditional base ingredient for elastics for braces. Elastics manufacturers also add chemical stabilizers and preservatives to the natural rubber as they process it; however, there's no standard composition of ingredients in the final product. Consequently, elastics made from latex can vary quite a bit in their elasticity, resilience and flexibility. This variance helps your orthodontist choose the right band for the job.
Although latex is a safe material, it can be an allergen for some patients. Orthodontics patients who have an allergy to latex can develop symptoms like an inflamed mouth, oral sores and, in very rare cases, difficulty breathing. Many children discover a latex allergy long before they're old enough to be fitted with braces since the natural rubber is also present in balloons, bandages and bottle nipples, explains University of Utah Health Radio.
A life-threatening allergic reaction to elastics is unlikely, but if you're worried you may be experiencing severe symptoms of an allergy to latex, remove the elastics if possible and see a doctor immediately. For patients who are allergic to latex, non-natural elastics offer an alternative solution. These bands are made from silicone, polyurethane plastic or another artificial polymer, and they work the same way as natural latex.
Elastics aren't the only option for ligatures on braces, but they're the only one where the patients can choose the colors they want. According to the Mayo Clinic, braces ligatures can also be made of tiny wires or the brackets can include a sliding mechanism to hold the wire. Yet children, teenagers and even some adults prefer ligatures that are colorful elastic bands.
Patients can choose colors that complement their skin tone, improve the appearance of their teeth or just make a fun statement. Certain colors of elastics can even help make your teeth look whiter. Clear elastics are an option for those who want their braces to look less noticeable.
Interarch elastic bands are longer than braces ligatures and are used to help fix a misaligned bite. The Braces Guide explains how interarch braces attach to small hooks on braces brackets, forming a stretchy connection between the upper and lower teeth. As well as improving the way patients' teeth fit together, orthodontists use interarch elastics for other purposes like closing spaces between teeth.
You might hear your orthodontist refer to the "class" of interarch elastics. Class II elastics help correct an overbite, where the upper teeth sit too far forward. Class III elastics correct an underbite, where the lower teeth are too far forward in the mouth.
Interarch elastics are available in different lengths to fit the size of the gap between the upper and lower bracket hooks, exerting the correct amount of pressure but allowing a patient to open their mouth comfortably to speak. When the elastics are adjusting a misaligned bite they must generally be worn all the time except when eating or brushing your teeth. However, if the elastics are only needed for light maintenance, then the orthodontist may only prescribe nighttime wear.
It's the consistent tension on the teeth and jaw that makes interarch elastics effective. If the patient doesn't wear their elastics as prescribed, the treatment time is lengthened. Wearing two elastic bands as an alternative to wearing the bands consistently isn't an effective alternative, says the Braces Guide. Doubling up interarch elastics can increase soreness and even make treatment time longer if your teeth move in an unintended way.
Orthodontists are responsible for caring for elastic ligatures, but patients must care for their interarch elastics themselves. Always remove interarch elastics before eating and before brushing your teeth or using floss. If you try to brush your teeth while the elastics are attached you can damage the archwire and bracket hooks. Replace interarch elastics every day or as often as recommended by your orthodontist.
If elastics for braces are a part of your orthodontic treatment, take advantage of the opportunity to choose colors and follow the advice of your orthodontist if you have interarch elastics. Braces are sometimes a fuss and bother, but the end result of straight teeth and a great smile are worth it!
Dr. Kothari has the knowledge and training to bring out the best in your smile and if the approach involves orthodontic rubber bands, the 914 Orthodontics team will help you use them as efficiently as possible. We offer a variety of orthodontic treatments including Invisalign and braces in Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, Briarcliff, Ossining and the surrounding area.
Wearing rubber bands improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth and/or jaws - the bite. Rubber bands align your bite and are very important for the bite-fixing phase of orthodontic treatment, which is usually the longest and most difficult part of the whole process. Our high-tech braces and wires will straighten your teeth relatively quickly, it is the aligning/fixing of the bite (the way your teeth and jaws fit together - "overbite" correction for example, as shown in picture to the right) that usually takes longer and determines when you're ready to get the braces off. Your full cooperation and commitment with the rubber bands is required and will lead to the best possible orthodontic result in the shortest amount of time. Yes, rubber band wear is vital to successful treatment, so always strictly follow the instructions and regiment we give you for wearing your elastics.
You should wear your elastics constantly, twenty-four hours a day including when you eat a snack, play, and sleep, unless otherwise instructed, taking them out only to brush, floss, put new elastics in, and very occasionally to eat. Most of the time you should eat with your elastics in and replace them with fresh ones after the meal. In fact, when you are eating you're really putting your rubber bands to work and your teeth will move even faster! But, if they really get in your way during a big meal you may need to remove them, even though we urge you to keep them in if you can, especially during casual snacking. You should also wear them when you sleep. Every morning, discard the previous day's elastics and replace them with fresh elastics from the packet we have provided for you. If you play sports keep your elastics in unless you need to wear a mouth-guard. After removing your mouth-guard, put the elastics back in.
To help you with this, before you leave we will give you a handout that has a diagram indicating what teeth you need to hook the rubber bands to. Placing them incorrectly can be even worse than not wearing them at all because your teeth might move in the wrong/opposite direction. If you ever have any questions on how to wear your elastics or may have lost the handout with the diagram that we gave you, please do not hesitate to call, email, or just stop by the office and ask us. Wearing rubber bands, especially at first, can be confusing! 041b061a72