Wearing your elastics to achieve an optimal result. by your Toronto, North York, Scarborough, East York Invisalign Orthodontist

Rubber bands, or elastics, can be an integral aspect of orthodontic care, so if your orthodontist Dr. James Noble prescribed elastics as a part of your orthodontic treatment, it’s important to follow the directions fully. Elastics help to align your bite or cause teeth to move in different directions and straighten more quickly. When Dr. Noble uses elastics, he will instruct you how to hook one end to an upper bracket and the other end to a lower bracket so the rubber band goes vertically or diagonally from one bracket to another. The tension of the rubber band produces pressure on the bracket, which causes the teeth to move and straighten. This tension is also sufficient to correct an overbite or an under bite in the jaw.

If rubber bands are a part of your treatment plan, there are a few things to keep in mind. With rubber bands, you won’t be able to open your mouth fully, so they will have to be removed when you eat and reapplied after meals. Many times, rubber bands are only needed at night, so you won’t need to worry about eating with them. Sometimes, if you try to open your mouth too wide, your rubber bands might snap – so be careful.

Failure to wear your elastics full time or as instructed can lengthen your treatment time and may make it more difficult to achieve an optimal result. But don’t worry; your time in elastics will be well worth it when you see your beautiful, new smile and you shine it through the city of Toronto.