Elastics Rubber Bands
Wearing elastics (rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Wear rubber bands as instructed because the rubber bands work far more efficiently if they are worn as prescribed.
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To successfully complete your orthodontic treatment plan, patients must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the elastics (rubber bands) or other appliances as prescribed.
The following paragraphs describe the types of appliances that may be used during your treatment.
Wearing elastics (rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Wear rubber bands as instructed because the rubber bands work far more efficiently if they are worn as prescribed.
These appliances prop open you bite so that you will not be able to contact your back teeth when biting. They are used to improve a deep overbite by allowing the back teeth to erupt. Eat soft foods while adapting to your bite plate.
These appliances help you to control your habits such as thumb sucking and poor tongue posture. Often patients develop an open bite from these habits. When using these appliances keep your lips closed and the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
This MARA appliance reduces overbite by encouraging the lower jaw forward and the upper molars backward. This fixed appliance is used mostly for younger, growing children and is worn for about 12-15 months.
The palatal expander “expands ” (widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Your orthodontist will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression. Read Palatal Expander Instructions
Retainers may be removable or fixed. They hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after your teeth have been straightened. Your orthodontist will instruct you on how to care for your retainer and about the duration of the wear. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent regression of your treatment. Learn How to Care for Your Retainer
Separators are little rubber doughnuts that may be placed between your teeth to push them apart so that orthodontic bands may be placed during your next appointment. The separators will be removed before we place the bands. While wearing Separators do not eat gum or sticky candies. You can brush normally and floss between all teeth which do not have Separators.
