zebra elastics

[xanidu2012]

Well I had my appointment today and surprise surprise I got zebra elastics. I didn't think I would see those until near the end of this brace journey which I am nowhere near. Now it feels like 2 bottom molars are being pulled out by the roots and I can hardly open my mouth. Guess my husband will love that. Have to wear them all the time and take out to eat/brush but I'm quite sure you all know that already.
My question is: has anyone had/have this discomfort with their elastics? And what is the primary function of them anyway?

[TMJJill]

I've been in Zebra and Gorilla elastics (both 5/16 and 4.5 oz) since my first month in braces.

Depending on the configuration, I've had it be pretty painful at times. The back lower molars to upper canine configuration isn't bad. I did trapazoid boxes that weren't bad. I've worn them as "v's" on my molars. Those always hurt until I stop wearing them. My teeth have been moving slowly with this configuration, but I can tell there is some movement. That makes the pain and soreness worth it. I had the v's on my back two sets of molars for many months last year to try to erupt my molars. It helped on my 7's. My 6's were being stubborn and didn't move much then.

My current configurations include the molar-canine on both side and 3 sets of "v's" on my molars and pre-molars on my left side. I literally have a wall of Zebras on the left side and can't open my mouth. I started with this particular configuration about 3 weeks ago. It was sore right from the start. I've only been wearing mine at night though. It also triggered my bruxism and some tmjd issues I haven't had for a long time. I've been taking a break from wearing them since last Friday, but I know I need to go back to wearing them in a few days. I really want those teeth to move.

As for the function of the elastics, it depends on what configuration and type of elastics you are wearing. My boxes were to help close my bite. My molar-canine helps hold my lower jaw forward when I sleep. The V's are to erupt my lower teeth.

What kind of configuration are you wearing?

[bmueller]

When I got elastics (3/16" 6 oz) class II and V shaped from upper canine-incisor to lower canine, I could not open my mouth at all for about a week. I was actually in more pain than when I had jaw surgery. I was in so much pain, that asprin didn't help and I tossed and turned all night long. Since then it has gotten managable but still hurts almost every day. I called the OD to ask if this was ok, and they just said I had to live with it, this is the only way to fix my teeth. I'm hoping this won't last long. I've had them for 7 weeks.

Hang in there!

[EbonyQ]

I got a bit heavier elastic than Zebra (same oz but smaller size) and can’t feel any pain with them. Those first few minutes I try to talk when they are new can be a bit hard, it feels tight, but then I don’t notice them anymore, I forget that I even have them on most of the time. Zero pain so far, not even soreness (are they even working?! ). Have used them for almost 2 weeks now.

But this might be because I started with very light elastic (Quail 2 oz) at first and my teeth got used to them. Before I went with those I now wear (Boot, neon colors) 27/7 I switched between quail and Boot throughout the day to get used to Boot. Don’t know if this had any effect but I can’t feel Boot elastics at all. Have Zebra, Fox (3,5 oz) and even Quail (2 oz) that I can use if I want to go for lighter ones (my ortho makes me a bit spoiled because of my anxiety… ).

I use class II (lower molar to upper canine) both sides

[xanidu2012]

Im wearing them from last molars on lowers going up to top canines. The Orthodontist placed wires around both canines so they wouldn't move then put ligs over bracket. So elastics are going diagonal from lower to upper. It's got my entire top row of teeth very achy and tender.

[EbonyQ]

Im wearing them from last molars on lowers going up to top canines. The Orthodontist placed wires around both canines so they wouldn't move then put ligs over bracket. So elastics are going diagonal from lower to upper. It's got my entire top row of teeth very achy and tender.

awww, I'm sorry to hear this . Can't you ask for lighter ones just for a while? Just to let you get used to them, a week or two. It might help.

[xanidu2012]

I am. Can't keep going like this

[isthistaken]

I had NO IDEA the animal on the package means something???? I thought it was just to entertain the kiddoes who usually frequent Braceville.

I have Peregrine Falcons !!!!

[mudshell1]

I'm wearing double Lions from back molar to top canine on both side to help another appliance intrude my back, top molars. (I think I got that right. I'm not up on the ortho lingo.) This is the last optional, major step before final tweaks and removal. For a little over a week after starting the double Lions, I had tension headaches, migraines, and problems sleeping. It was bad enough that I was close to calling the office and not doing the intrusion. One morning, I woke up and the headaches were gone! My teeth don't hurt as bad either.

All this to say, don't give up. I wonder how the Zebras and Lions compare?

[TMJJill]

All this to say, don't give up. I wonder how the Zebras and Lions compare?

The elastics have a size and weight listed on the package. The Zebras are 5/16 mediums.

[anxiousgirl]

i have had the zebra type elastics since i got them, first in class 1 configurations and then in class 2 to fix my overbite.
I remember them really hurting when i first got them it was pretty unbearable, but i eventually got used to them.
Once i got used to them it actually became quite painful when i would forget to put them in or when i would go out to parties and couldn't wear them, which was quite odd.

[xanidu2012]

Im getting used to these elastics. This is my 2nd go round with braces and I never had elastics this early SPAM SPAM SPAMMING. I was told to wear them 24/7 except to remove to eat, then brush and put them back in. Well friends I've been sick this entire week and elastic wearing/changing was not in the picture . Since I'm better now I started back today. Hope I didn't cause any major problems but I didn't feel like trying to hook elastics while coughing my head off.

[Kipepeo]

As a teen I had to wear a trapezoid pattern right up front to close my open bite. I remember hating these. I don't remember wearing others, except those to hold my cervical headgear on!

This time I've worn class II's which aren't too bad, and a box pattern on one side. Right now I'm wearing a super short class 2 like configuration in rabbits going from the upper canine to the lower 1st bicuspids on the left only to close a small open bite there. I hate this one because the elastic is so far up front. It interferes with talking and closing my mouth, I drool a bit, and it hurts because it constantly rubs my cheek just inside the corner of my mouth. I sound inebriated because I have to speak a bit more slowly and purposefully. And the two teeth that are hooked up are sore (been just 2 days with this one).

It's all a means to the end.