Elastics

Elastics are rubber bands that are attached to your braces. They are designed to create the exact amount of pressure on your teeth that is needed to move them. In order for the elastics to keep a steady force, they must be worn all the time and they must be changed throughout the day. Please Note: If you choose not to wear your elastics as prescribed, your treatment may take longer or the treatment plan may have to be altered.

Here are some tips for the proper care of your elastics:

• It is your responsibility to change the elastics throughout the day. This is very important as the rubber will lose its elasticity rapidly, resulting in inadequate force on your teeth.
• Make sure you understand how, where and for how long to place your elastics, as they can go in many different directions and styles.  
• You should remove your elastics while brushing your teeth and during meals. Then put them back on immediately.
• Keep extra elastics with you wherever you go so that if one breaks you can replace it right away.
• As your supply gets low, call us so that you don’t experience a gap in treatment time.
• Sometimes teeth will get sore when the elastics are started. Usually, this soreness last a few days. Wearing elastics sporadically will also cause tooth soreness and makes it more difficult to move teeth, so wear them continuously. 
• If for some reason you cannot wear your elastic as instructed, please call our office for an appointment so that we can revisit the instructions with you or fix the problem. This is not an emergency but we want to fix the issue ASAP.