Elastic Timing: When Do Rubber Bands Join the Braces Party?

Months ago, you tried to hide your crooked teeth at all costs when talking or laughing, but you are slowly gaining confidence since beginning orthodontic care and are now letting your new smile shine. Your teeth have already shown significant improvement, and you are proud of the results.

You know there are various methods of orthodontic alignment, but your Orthodontist mentioned using rubber bands in your next phase of treatment instead of just hardware or wires.

Rubber bands? You’ve got questions.

How does something like a rubber band help with the alignment of teeth, and when should you expect to start wearing rubber bands with your braces? Keep reading for more details.

Table of Contents

• What Impact Do Rubber Bands Have on Braces?
• When Do You Start Wearing Rubber Bands for Braces?
• Categories of Rubber Bands Used for Braces
• Commonly Asked Questions About Wearing Rubber Bands for Braces
• Biermann Orthodontics: Transforming Portland Smiles for Over 17 Years

What Impact Do Rubber Bands Have on Braces?

Rubber bands, or elastics, when attached to your orthodontic hardware, are utilized to apply gentle but consistent pressure.

They are often used if correction is needed for a bite surface, such as:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Jaw or bite alignment

When Do You Start Wearing Rubber Bands for Braces?

Your orthodontist will determine when you start wearing rubber bands based on your individual treatment plan.

For some patients, rubber bands may be utilized early in their treatment, while some only use them near the end of treatment — and some patients may not need them at all.

At Biermann Orthodontics, our experienced orthodontists carefully evaluate each patient for the most effective approach to enhance your smile. Utilizing advanced equipment and technology, we individualize your treatment to not only straighten your teeth, but to complete the regimen in the shortest possible timeframe.

Categories of Rubber Bands Used for Braces

There is a wide variety of rubber bands with an equally large number of uses in your orthodontic treatment plan.

Categories of orthodontic rubber bands include the following:

• Function
  • This describes the position and direction in which the elastics are worn.

• Material
  • Latex: This material is highly flexible and inexpensive to manufacture, and maintains a more stable and consistent force than synthetic materials.
  • Synthetic: These rubber bands will be used if a patient has a latex allergy.

• Force
  • The rubber bands are categorized as light, medium, or heavy.
  • The force is measured by ounces or grams related to the pressure exerted with application.

• Size
  • The size is measured by diameter, usually in fractions of an inch.
  • Size is chosen based on how far it is required to stretch and provide sufficient pressure in treatment.

 

Commonly Asked Questions About Wearing Rubber Bands for Braces

Do Rubber Bands Mean Braces Are Almost Done?

Unfortunately, if your orthodontist recommends rubber bands, it does not necessarily mean you are near the end of treatment.

Rubber bands can be utilized at any time during your individualized treatment plan.

Do Rubber Bands Move Your Teeth or Your Jaws?

Orthodontic rubber bands are elastic pieces that attach directly to your braces, and they work with your hardware, like the brackets and wires, to apply gentle pressure on your teeth to help shift them into proper alignment.

They may be attached in various ways to your teeth to apply the appropriate pressure.

How Quickly Do Rubber Bands Move Your Teeth?

You should not expect the work of the rubber bands to be completed quickly.

If your teeth shift too fast, it could result in damage to the roots — creating more problems rather than helping.

Since the rubber bands apply gentle pressure and force, your teeth will shift gradually. It usually takes between five to eight months to achieve proper alignment.

What Dental Issues Do Rubber Bands Help Correct?

Orthodontic rubber bands are small but mighty.

They are categorized into classes and can correct a large variety of orthodontic concerns, such as:

• Class I
  • Used to close spaces between your teeth
  • Positioned horizontally
  • Link a bracket to either your upper or lower jaw
• Class II
  • Help correct an overbite
  • Connect the teeth on your upper jaw to the molars on your lower jaw
• Class III
  • Help to correct an underbite
  • Connect the teeth on your lower jaw to the molars on your upper jaw
• Vertical
  • Corrects an open bite
  • Link the teeth on your upper jaw to the teeth below on the lower jaw
• Cross
  • Used to correct a crossbite
  • Upper and lower teeth are connected by the rubber that crosses over the front teeth

The team at Biermann Orthodontics understands that orthodontic care can be uncomfortable at times. We strive to provide not only the quickest treatment plan for each of our patients, but also the most convenient and least invasive approach for your lifestyle.

Contact us today to schedule a professional consultation.

Does Everyone Get Rubber Bands for Braces?

Not every orthodontic patient requires the use of rubber bands.

Your braces alone may be sufficient to correct alignment and bite concerns, and some patients do not require the extra pressure from rubber bands to complete the job.

Do Rubber Bands Make Braces Go Faster?

Rubber bands should be worn for the prescribed time each day, which could quite possibly be most of the day.

Your individualized length of treatment will include the anticipated number of months that rubber bands should be worn. While wearing the rubber bands will not necessarily make your time in braces go faster, keep in mind that if the wearing schedule is not followed, it could result in a longer length of time in braces.

Biermann Orthodontics: Transforming Beaverton Smiles for Over 17 Years

A warm smile will light up your face, so Biermann Orthodontics believes it should be extraordinary.

Our dedicated team of professionals is committed to delivering high-quality patient care that is specifically tailored to your needs. We focus on serving our patients well by providing comprehensive education before treatment and allowing each person to make informed decisions about their oral health and orthodontic treatment plan.

Biermann Orthodontics strives to provide patient-centered care and a welcoming environment for both the patients and their families.

If you or your loved one needs braces in Beaverton or surrounding areas, contact us today to begin the journey toward an amazing smile!

 

The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.