Orthodontic elastics, often referred to as rubber bands, are small accessories that play a significant role in achieving a balanced, healthy bite. While traditional braces or clear aligners primarily focus on moving and straightening individual teeth along the dental arch, elastics are prescribed for a different purpose entirely. These bands are attached to specific points on the upper and lower jaws, providing the necessary force to align the entire bite. Elastics are typically made from latex or a non-latex alternative, and they come in various sizes and strengths, which allows the orthodontist to customize the force applied for each patient’s specific needs.
How Elastics Correct the Bite
Elastics introduce a specialized type of force known as inter-arch force, which is necessary for correcting how the upper and lower teeth fit together. Brackets and wires move teeth within their respective arches, but they cannot effectively shift the relationship between the two jaws. Elastics bridge the gap between the arches, creating continuous pressure that guides the whole bite into its correct alignment.
This gentle, constant tension encourages both dental and skeletal changes, moving groups of teeth simultaneously. The force is applied across the jaws to address malocclusions, such as an overbite, underbite, or crossbite. By connecting the upper and lower teeth, elastics reposition the entire lower jaw relative to the upper jaw, or vice versa, over time. Without this directed, inter-arch force, the overall correction of the bite would be significantly limited.
Common Configurations and Patterns
The way an elastic is positioned dictates the direction of the force and the type of bite correction it addresses. One of the most common applications is the Class II configuration, which corrects an overjet, or a significant horizontal overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower teeth. This pattern typically spans from an attachment point near the upper canine tooth to a hook on a lower molar, pulling the upper teeth backward and the lower teeth forward.
The opposite adjustment is achieved with a Class III configuration, which corrects an underbite where the lower teeth protrude in front of the upper teeth. Class III elastics generally run from a hook on a lower canine tooth to an attachment on an upper molar, pulling the lower jaw back and the upper jaw forward. Other patterns, such as the triangular or “V” patterns, involve three connection points and are used to help close an open bite where the front teeth do not meet. Crossbite elastics are placed diagonally to align the side-to-side relationship of the arches.
The Role of Patient Compliance
The success of treatment with orthodontic elastics depends on the patient’s consistent use, which orthodontists refer to as compliance. The pressure required to move teeth and remodel bone must be continuous, as intermittent force is ineffective in achieving lasting biological change. Patients are instructed to wear their elastics for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only for eating and oral hygiene.
Inconsistent wear, such as only wearing the elastics at night, can cause a back-and-forth movement that stalls treatment progress. If the elastics are left out for a significant period, the teeth will immediately begin to regress toward their original positions. When the bands are reapplied after a lapse, the patient often experiences renewed soreness, undoing the adaptation the teeth had already achieved. Following the prescribed wear schedule determines both the efficiency and the total duration of the orthodontic treatment.
Care, Replacement, and Hygiene
Orthodontic elastics are designed to be discarded and replaced multiple times a day to maintain the necessary therapeutic force. Due to the nature of the elastic material, they rapidly lose their strength and elasticity after just a few hours of being stretched in the mouth. Most orthodontists recommend changing the elastics at least two to four times daily, ideally after every meal and after brushing.
Patients should always carry a supply of fresh elastics, as they can snap unexpectedly or be lost during meals. While initial soreness is common due to the new pressure, this discomfort fades within the first few days of consistent wear. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene requires removing the elastics completely when brushing and flossing to ensure all surfaces of the teeth and brackets are thoroughly cleaned. Failure to replace weakened elastics with fresh ones results in insufficient force, delaying the goal of a properly aligned bite.