There are several issues that affect your jaw and teeth that braces can help cure. To help with straightening your jaw and teeth, braces exert force. An archwire that passes through brackets attached to the enamel of your teeth applies this force. At some point throughout your treatment, you may have to wear rubber bands if you wear braces. Rubber bands work well when more force is applied to particular areas. In Memphis, TN, there are many patients who have to wear orthodontic elastics along with braces. Contact Memphis, TN dental practice to learn if you require orthodontic elastics for your braces.
Why do you need orthodontic elastics for your braces?
Rubber bands are used to provide additional stress to a specific area of your mouth. They could be termed elastics as well. Your braces’ brackets are attached by rubber bands, which can be positioned in a variety of positions. They are connected to the bracket with small metal hooks.
Rubber bands provide a variety of functions for braces. They often serve to help correct a variety of misaligned jaws, including:
Bite correction
Resolving malocclusions or poor bites is one of the primary objectives of orthodontic elastics. These include open bites, in which there is a space between both upper and lower teeth if the mouth is closed; crossbites, in which one or more upper teeth bite within the lower teeth; underbites, and overbites, in which the front upper teeth extend over the lower front teeth.
Teeth Alignment
Elastics help in the shifting of entire dental arches or bigger groups of teeth, while braces are helpful in moving individual teeth. They can help reduce spaces, make sure the upper and lower sets of teeth fit correctly, and align teeth with those in the opposite jaw. In combination with braces, they can also be used to help straighten a tooth that is tilting backward or to change the distance between teeth.
Facilitating faster movement
The orthodontic process might be accelerated by the ongoing pressure that the elastics apply. Patients could profit from shorter therapy durations as a result.
Achieving precise movements
While braces can accomplish a lot by themselves, elastics are often needed for complex adjustments and exact tooth movements. They deliver precise force in particular directions that may be difficult to do with braces alone.
Patient Engagement
Since elastics need to be adjusted every day or as instructed by the orthodontist, using them requires patient engagement. Patients might get more engaged in their care and more aware of their development as a result of this active engagement.
Flexibility in Treatment
Because elastics come in a range of sizes and strengths, orthodontists can customize their treatment to meet the needs of each patient. By selecting a variety of elastics, they can modify the force applied to the teeth.
How are they utilized?
Typically, orthodontic elastics are attached to specific brace brackets. Where to put them, what time to replace them, and any other special care instructions will be provided by your orthodontist. Different arrangements of orthodontic elastics are available to fit different malocclusions and alignment problems.
Maintaining Your Elastics
Ensuring dental cleanliness and maintaining the effectiveness of orthodontic elastics need proper care. The following guidelines will help you take care of orthodontic elastics:
Regular Replacement
Over time, orthodontic elastics become less elastic. It is essential that you replace them as your orthodontist instructs, which is often once daily or after meals. A consistent force on the teeth can be guaranteed by routine replacement.
Proper storage
Keep your elastics somewhere dry and cool. For this, most orthodontists provide a tiny plastic bottle. Heat may damage the material, so keep them out of warm temperatures and direct sunshine.
Maintain Oral Hygiene
Before putting on or taking off elastics, make sure your hands are clean. Follow your regular dental hygiene routine, including brushing and flossing. To make sure your whole mouth is cleaned, take off the elastics when brushing.
Wrapping up!
Rubber bands come in a number of sizes, materials, and force categories. Depending on the course of your therapy, they can also be grouped into different conformations. Not every person wearing braces will have rubber bands. Actually, there are a variety of options available.
Make sure you carefully follow your orthodontist’s directions on how to wear rubber bands if they are needed for your braces. By doing this, you can make sure that your therapy goes as per schedule.
