Confused about my elastics?

[danisaurus]

Hey everyone, I'm new here and I have a few questions about my elastics!
Please keep in mind that I don't know braces terms too well, so please bare with me.
Currently, on the right side of my mouth, I have a class 2 rubber band and on the left side of my mouth I have an upside down triangle.
Does anyone know what these are for?
Also, is it normal for bands to change your teeth length? For example, after having class 2 on both sides of my mouth, the bottom row of my teeth is sort of uneven now. One tooth is a little longer than the others, and it looks like my teeth are escalating down. My friend said this is normal, but I want to confirm it. Thanks!

[Beckett]

I couldn't tell you exactly what they are doing beyond "moving your teeth and aligning your bite". I've had both sides class 2, then the same configuration you've got now, and now I've got both sides in an upright triangle. With the addition of a midline elastic overnight. Chances are you'll have different configurations as your treatment progresses and your bite alignment adjusts.

[Mpkh]

They move your teeth and improve your bite in ways that brackets and wires can't do alone. If you want the specifies, you'll have to ask your orthodontist about how your specific configurations work!

[Tyrantblade]

It doesn't really "change teeth length", it makes it seem like certain teeth are longer by pulling them up/down to where they need to be (if the problem is an up and down one instead of being an angle thing).

An upside down triangle specifically would bring the bottom tooth into the middle of the 2 top teeth so that when you smile or bite it will be where its supposed to; sort of like pieces of a puzzle locking together.