Orthodontic elastics (rubber bands) are used toward the final stages of braces treatment. While brackets and archwires straighten individual teeth, these bands complete the complex alignment process. They apply continuous, gentle forces to shift the bite relationship, ensuring the upper and lower teeth meet correctly. This inter-arch force is necessary for achieving a stable and functional final result.
The Specific Role of Orthodontic Elastics
Wires focus on leveling and aligning teeth within their respective arches, but elastics introduce forces that work between the upper and lower dental arches. These forces correct discrepancies in the jaw relationship (malocclusion).
For instance, elastics manage Class II malocclusion (overbite) where the upper jaw sits too far forward. The bands pull the upper teeth back while encouraging the lower teeth forward to close the gap. Conversely, they address Class III malocclusions (underbites) by moving the lower teeth backward and the upper teeth forward. Elastics execute the necessary large-scale movements that archwires alone cannot accomplish effectively.
The Treatment Stage When Elastics Are Introduced
Elastics are generally introduced during the intermediate or working phase of treatment. Orthodontists wait until the initial leveling and alignment are largely completed, meaning the teeth are straight and the archwires are stabilized. This ensures that when the inter-arch force is applied, the teeth are stable enough to handle the pressure without incorrect movement.
Introducing elastics too early, before the brackets are correctly positioned, could lead to undesirable tooth movement. This working phase often starts roughly six to twelve months into the overall treatment plan, though timing is highly variable. The orthodontist determines the exact timing by assessing if the bracket placements and archwires are ready to serve as anchors. The goal is to move the bite into a correct, functional position before the braces are removed.
Understanding Elastics: Size, Force, and Wear Schedules
Elastics are precisely classified based on their diameter and the amount of force they exert. Size is measured by the inner diameter in fractions of an inch, which dictates how far they stretch between anchor points. Force is categorized as light, medium, or heavy, determining the intensity of the corrective movement.
The pattern of wear is highly specific. Common configurations include Class II (running from an upper canine hook to a lower molar hook) and Class III (running in the opposite direction). Other complex patterns may be used to close open bites or stabilize posterior segments. A prescribed wear schedule, often requiring full-time use (24 hours a day), is paramount because the force must be continuous to be effective.
Patient Responsibilities During Elastic Wear
Success rests on consistent patient adherence to instructions. Compliance means wearing the elastics continuously, removing them only briefly for brushing, flossing, or eating. Patients must also change the bands frequently, usually at least once or twice daily, because the material quickly degrades and loses its corrective force.
Initial discomfort or soreness is common as the teeth begin to shift, but this usually subsides after the first few days of continuous wear. Maintaining oral hygiene is also necessary, requiring the removal of the elastics for thorough cleaning to prevent plaque buildup. Failure to maintain compliance directly prolongs the overall treatment time and may compromise the final alignment of the bite.