Most people know that rubber bands are an essential part of braces. At Jennings Orthodontics, we love watching our younger patients pick out their rubber band colors. However, did you know that rubber bands do more for your treatment than offer you a jazzy-looking smile? Dr. Carrie Jennings regularly uses rubber bands to help hundreds of patients enhance their braces treatment. We’ll discuss the magic of rubber bands and how they help improve your smile!
Types of orthodontic elastics
When Dr. Jennings first applies your braces, you’ll notice that they come with brackets and archwires attached to them. Small elastics are used to connect these components for your braces to effectively move your teeth. These are the most common type of elastic used in braces and are called oties. These rubber bands are usually made of latex and come in various colors and sizes. The elasticity helps keep your braces in place by creating tension on the brackets and wires.
Depending on your individual needs, Dr. Jennings may also recommend using larger elastics, otherwise known as rubber bands. These bands are made from thicker rubber and can apply more force to your braces, allowing faster movement. They can be used for various orthodontic procedures, such as closing spaces between teeth, correcting bite issues, or improving overall alignment.
What role do rubber bands play in your braces treatment?
The primary role of braces is to help move your teeth into their proper positions. This means that the braces must be adjusted regularly, which is where rubber bands come in. Wearing braces with rubber bands can help correct misalignment, overbite, underbite, and other orthodontic issues.
What other benefits do rubber bands have?
The great thing about rubber bands is that they can be used for more than just misalignment. Dr. Jennings regularly uses rubber bands to help:
- close gaps between teeth
- improve your facial symmetry by helping to reshape the jawbone
- decrease your treatment time by accelerating teeth movement
This makes rubber bands an invaluable tool for orthodontic treatment. They are also an excellent alternative for bulkier options such as headgear and springs!
How can I make sure rubber bands are working effectively?
For rubber bands to work effectively, they must first be appropriately fitted. It is essential to ensure that they are the correct size and tension so that your braces can move properly. If you feel like your rubber bands are too loose or too tight, Dr. Jennings can adjust them accordingly. It is also essential to make sure that you wear the rubber bands as prescribed by your orthodontist; not wearing them according to schedule can result in your braces shifting or not moving at the correct rate.
Start your braces journey at Jennings Orthodontics.
Start your braces journey at Jennings Orthodontics.Rubber bands can be a great way to improve your smile and get your braces treatment completed faster. The orthodontic experts at Jennings Orthodontics are ready to help you with all your braces-related needs. Schedule an appointment today, and let us help improve your treatment with the power of rubber bands!