An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower front teeth. While braces or clear aligners are the primary tools for straightening teeth, they often require assistance to correct the relationship between the upper and lower jaws. This assistance comes from rubber bands, known as orthodontic elastics, which are a frequent and necessary component of the treatment plan. The need for elastics depends entirely on the specific nature of the bite issue and the movement required to achieve a healthy, functional occlusion.
Understanding the Types of Overbite
The need for elastics often depends on the underlying cause of the overbite, which falls into two main types. A dental overbite is primarily an issue of teeth alignment. In this case, the jaws are properly sized and positioned, but the teeth are angled or positioned incorrectly. This type of malocclusion can sometimes be corrected by braces or aligners alone by moving teeth within the same arch.
A skeletal overbite is more complex, involving a discrepancy in the size or position of the jaws. This usually means the upper jaw is too far forward, the lower jaw is too far back, or both conditions exist. Because the problem is rooted in the bone structure, a simple tooth-straightening appliance is often insufficient to achieve the necessary jaw correction.
How Orthodontic Elastics Correct Jaw Alignment
Orthodontic elastics are small, specialized rubber rings that provide the inter-arch force necessary to correct the jaw relationship. These elastics connect the upper and lower arches, typically attaching to a hook on an upper tooth and a hook on a lower tooth. They are specifically used when the goal is to move entire segments of teeth or to reposition the jaw itself.
For an overbite, the elastics run from an anchor point on the upper arch toward the back, down to an anchor point on the lower arch toward the front. This diagonal tension exerts a constant, gentle pulling force that encourages the upper teeth to move backward and the lower teeth to move forward. This simultaneous movement of the two arches brings the bite into proper alignment, something that braces or aligners working on a single arch cannot accomplish alone.
Elastics apply a continuous, directional force that modifies the horizontal relationship between the dental arches. Without this cross-arch tension, the treatment would only result in straight teeth that still don’t meet correctly. When worn consistently, the elastics work to resolve the skeletal or significant dental discrepancy, which is a requirement for a stable and healthy bite.
Alternatives to Elastics for Overbite Correction
While elastics are the most common method for correcting the upper and lower jaw relationship, they are not the only option. For children and adolescents who are still growing, functional appliances are a non-elastic alternative that capitalizes on natural jaw development. Devices like the Herbst appliance or the Forsus appliance are fixed to the teeth and mechanically posture the lower jaw forward, encouraging it to align with the upper jaw.
These fixed appliances provide a constant force that does not rely on the patient remembering to wear them, making them highly effective in growing patients. For adult patients with severe skeletal discrepancies, where growth modification is no longer possible, the non-elastic alternative is often orthognathic surgery. This procedure involves physically repositioning the upper or lower jawbone, or both, to achieve the correct bite relationship. Other alternatives include clear aligner attachments that mimic elastic function, or the extraction of specific teeth to create space for necessary tooth movement.
Maximizing Success While Wearing Elastics
The success of overbite correction using orthodontic elastics relies on the patient’s consistent adherence to the prescribed wear schedule. Patients are typically instructed to wear the elastics for a minimum of 20 to 22 hours every day, removing them only for eating and brushing teeth. Wearing them only at night is insufficient, as the intermittent force does not allow the teeth and jaw to adapt and move effectively.
Changing the elastics frequently is also necessary to maintain the correct tension. The elastic material loses its strength and stretch over time, so using a fresh pair as instructed, sometimes every 8 to 12 hours, ensures that the intended force is consistently applied. Some initial soreness is common as the teeth begin to move, but this discomfort typically fades within the first few days as the mouth adjusts.