How do rubber bands work

Conversely, the bands will run from the back of the upper jaw down to the front of the lower jaw to correct underbites. To get the best results, you should replace these bands every day and wear them as many hours as possible. In addition to getting these bands with traditional braces , you may also have them with Invisalign Clear Aligners.

On metal braces, the interarch bands will attach to metal hooks, whereas they will attach to plastic attachments on Invisalign aligners. Elastic bands may not sound too exciting, but they are one way kids can enjoy their time with braces. If this happens, always replace both rubber bands to ensure equal tension on either side of your mouth. Moving the teeth with orthodontic treatment involves biological forces and too much pressure can cause serious harm and potentially damage the roots of your teeth.

Treatment is customized to your mouth and we use a specific type of rubber band. Make Spring the Season you finally get braces! Yet, here and there, you could have a very minor issue such as:. Any discomfort will be extremely minor. If necessary, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like Tylenol.

A broken or missing rubber band — Should an elastic pop off or break, replace both of the rubber bands with new ones. If you forgot to bring extras, be sure to put them on as soon as you have access to them. If you have to go for a long time without them, let us know so we can adjust your treatment if we have to.

Blanking on the instructions — If you forget Dr. Wade Williams, our office space and long-lasting treatment makes our practice a superior choice for those within The Woodlands, TX area. About Meet Dr. What Are Interarch Rubber Bands? By alyssa April 8, pm. Share on facebook Facebook. Share on twitter Twitter. Share on linkedin LinkedIn. Share on pinterest Pinterest. Prev Previous Mouthguards and Orthodontics.

Next Orthodontic Myths Next. Mon-Thu: am — pm Fri-Sun: Closed. Meet Dr. Patient Forms. Rubber bands come in different sizes as well. The size is the measurement of its diameter, typically in fractions of an inch. Rubber bands can be made of two different materials: latex and synthetic. However, synthetic bands can be used for people that have a latex allergy.

Some research suggests that latex bands may exert more stable force over time than synthetic bands. For example, a small study compared 15 people using both latex and synthetic bands. Latex bands were more stable over a hour period than synthetic bands.

Some common uses that you may hear about include:. When you begin using rubber bands with your braces depends on your specific treatment plan. For some, rubber bands may be used after a few adjustments.

For others, they may be used closer to the end of treatment. Additionally, not everyone will need to wear rubber bands with their braces. Your orthodontist will let you know if rubber bands are a part of your treatment plan. Over time, rubber bands lose their elasticity.

This means that the force they exert on your teeth and jaw will begin to decrease. Because of this, rubber bands need to be changed, often multiple times in a day. Your orthodontist will let you know how when and how often you should change your rubber bands. The total amount of time that rubber bands are used on your braces depends on your treatment plan. Some people may only need to use rubber bands for a few weeks, while others may use them for months. Generally speaking, many people that wear rubber bands with their braces wear them almost all of the time, although some may only need to wear them at night.

You can also typically remove your rubber bands temporarily in order to brush and floss. This includes:. Fortunately, you can replace them without having to visit your orthodontist. If a rubber band comes off or breaks, replace it with a new rubber band.