Wearing elastic rubber bands - I like it - Weird?

[kids041]

I am supposed to have elastics when I get my braces too... at least they mentioned them in the consultation. I hope that they are not as bad as they sound... I am wondering just how bad braces alone will be. I hope I don't end up being a big baby in the pain dept. My 15 yo daughter who has braces right now would get a good laugh if I am a baby... :)

[Alisonpv]

I was given elastics on my first day, is this unusual?
I think they are quite weak, Quail I think they're called.

I got elastics the first day too... (Parrot). They're also fairly weak. In cross bite correction configuration. It can't be totally unheard of

[ItsJustKim]

I don't find it weird that you like elastics, especially if you like the way it makes your bite feel. It's great that you have such a good attitude about wearing elastics as most people seem to find them annoying.

[mapleleafman888]

Well I sure hope I enjoy it as much as you do! About to get braced and part of treatment is 15 months of bite turbos and triangle configuration elastics on my molars to correct a "excessive deep overbite" . There is alot of space to close back there!

Good luck with your remaining treatment.

[flips712]

My next adjustment is in 2 weeks. I really hope they let me continue wearing my rubber bands. Since I started wearing them I've noticed that my teeth seem very creaky, which very much amuses me.

My advice is to wear the rubber bands as much as possible and you'll start to forget you're even wearing them anymore.

[Rockskier]

Earlier in my treatment, I was told that I will need to wear elastics for the rest of my treatment. The day I got them put on (in July), I was told that I would only need to wear them for the next appointment or two. What is typical?

[TMJJill]

I guess I'm mixed on the elastics. I don't think you are weird though.

I've worn elastics of one configuration or another for almost 2 years. I had brackets put on my lower back molars even before getting braced on the lowers just so I could wear the elastics. They have been heavier ones. I really liked the ones from my lower back molars to my upper canines that I've worn at night. It held my jaw forward when I slept and helped me sleep better. The trapezoid boxes were ok. I've worn "V's" on my pre-molars and molars for most of my treatment. I've hated the ones on my left side. Those particular teeth continue to hurt and have been stubborn to move. I always dread putting them in before bed.

On the plus side, the rest of my teeth that had elastics have erupted nicely. I've also brought my lower jaw forward 3 mm and helped close up my new bite.

[Marigold]

Not weird at all. I've been wearing mine since 4 months into treatment, so over 2 years now. I do feel a sense of comfort when I wear them. I used to be a teeth grinder and jaw clencher and never do it anymore, don't even feel the urge. I've had various configurations, some I didn't like so much because the elastics were right in front and made it hard to talk. My right side's been stubborn, so lately I've had thicker bands on that side and have to wear them full time as opposed to only half time on the left. That's always fun to keep track of.

[TMJJill]

Not weird at all. I've been wearing mine since 4 months into treatment, so over 2 years now. I do feel a sense of comfort when I wear them. I used to be a teeth grinder and jaw clencher and never do it anymore, don't even feel the urge. I've had various configurations, some I didn't like so much because the elastics were right in front and made it hard to talk. My right side's been stubborn, so lately I've had thicker bands on that side and have to wear them full time as opposed to only half time on the left. That's always fun to keep track of.

I second you on the tooth grinding. My bruxism got worse early in my treatment, but after over a decade of clenching/grinding when I sleep I'm now free of that. I'm actually nervous about getting my braces off in a couple months just because the elastics have made such a difference in my sleep. Who knows... I may need my retainer customized for my sleep or with the changes in my bite, I may no longer need anything. Time will tell.

[flips712]

I had an adjustment last Friday and the Ortho says that she's going to give me a break from wearing the elastics. My reply was....but I like them....can I keep wearing them? She appeared a little shocked but said sure you can keep wearing them as it won't hurt anything. YAY!!!! Felt like I dodged a bullet there!

[Lorianne]

yes, I liked mine too. I'm taking a doctor-imposed sabbatical from them right now and can't wait to start back again. The only thing is I'll have to go thru the cheek pain from rubbing all over again til I get used to them. This time I will double up on the wax!

[Cadet]

I'm sorry you're alone on this one.
LOL I hated them.
Ah the number of elastics I accidently swallowed while eating.

They worked like magic for my cross bite though.

[Anna5]

I like elastics too! Unfortunately my ortho put me off elastics for now, but I can't wait to get them again because they work so well!