Orthodontic rubber bands, also known as elastics, are used in braces treatment. They are made from medical-grade materials, such as latex or a non-latex alternative. Their primary purpose is to apply a continuous, controlled force to the teeth and jaws in ways the brackets and wires cannot achieve alone. By connecting to small hooks on the upper and lower braces, elastics provide the targeted pull needed to fine-tune the relationship between the two arches.
Correcting the Bite and Jaw Alignment
While the brackets and archwires primarily work to straighten individual teeth, elastics are responsible for correcting the bite, or the way the upper and lower teeth meet. This process involves moving entire groups of teeth to fix a malocclusion. An improper bite can manifest as an overbite, where the upper teeth protrude excessively, or an underbite, where the lower jaw extends forward past the upper jaw.
Elastics provide the inter-arch force needed to bring the upper and lower jaws into alignment. Achieving a proper bite reduces strain on the jaw joints and minimizes uneven wear on the tooth enamel. This continuous pressure guides the jaws into their correct relationship.
Common Placement Patterns
Orthodontists prescribe specific elastic configurations to create a precise direction of force. Class II elastics correct an overbite by stretching from an attachment point on an upper tooth (often near the canine) back to a lower molar. This diagonal placement pulls the upper arch backward while encouraging the lower arch to shift forward.
Conversely, Class III elastics address an underbite by running the opposite way, connecting a lower tooth toward the front to an upper molar in the back. This configuration applies a force that pulls the lower jaw back and helps advance the upper jaw. These diagonal pulls are effective for correcting front-to-back discrepancies.
Vertical elastics are used to close an open bite, where the upper and lower teeth do not meet when the mouth is closed. These bands run vertically from an upper tooth to a lower tooth to encourage proper contact between the opposing surfaces. For a crossbite, elastics may be placed diagonally across the misaligned section to push the affected teeth into their correct side-to-side position.
Why Consistent Wear is Non-Negotiable
Consistent wear is mandatory because the success of bite correction relies on continuous force. Orthodontists instruct patients to wear elastics for 20 to 22 hours per day, only removing them for eating and brushing. Skipping even a few hours allows the teeth and surrounding bone to begin reverting to their original positions, undoing the progress made.
Inconsistent wear significantly slows down treatment progress and can result in prolonged time spent in braces. When bands are reapplied after a break, the teeth and jaws often experience more soreness as movement restarts. Furthermore, elastics must be changed multiple times a day, usually after every meal, because the material rapidly loses its elasticity and pulling force. Replacing the bands frequently ensures the force remains within the therapeutic range for efficient tooth movement.