What Are My Elastics For?

Message

#1 Post by **Spanner** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 1:52 am

I've just been fitted with elastics and I've really no idea what they actually do. I have done a search here and mostly found that they are to correct your bite after your teeth have been straightened but I can't really understand how to tiny pieces of rubber band that stretch from a tooth at the top to a tooth at the bottom can have any affect. Plus I don't have an open bite I have a very deep bite.

Here's a pic to help (sorry about staining, I had a curry last night lol)

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#2 Post by **blueeyedboy** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:59 am

These are class II elastics, and are intended to pull your top teeth back and/or your bottom teeth forward.

#3 Post by **bluegirl** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 8:58 am

I have 2 elastics. One I wear 24/hr day and it's to correct the crossbite on my right side.

I also have a 12/hr elastic that I wear on my left side which looks like yours. I'm not 100% sure of it's purpose but I believe it's to pull my top teeth back (overbite.)

I really should ask my ortho more questions next time. I think I've avoided questions because I just want these suckers on and off ASAP and questions aren't really going to make the process go faster. LOL

#4 Post by **Spanner** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:53 pm

Thanks for your replies. I'm still finding it hard to understand how these things actually work lol but I'm starting to get used to them now so it isn't so bad I guess.

#5 Post by **mary.** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:19 am

I found the elastics hard to get use to as well, but one you were used to them they are fine. My understanding is that they are used to line up your bite and the top and bottom alignment. I'm sure your ortho would be happy to provide a quick explanation too. I find mine does not offer the info unless I ask - I think they do that because many don't wish to know so they wait to be asked by those that do. There's an Ask the Doc page in this forum where the question may have been asked - might be worth a look (use the Jum to a the bottom of the page).

#6 Post by **mwic1985** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 12:52 pm

Thanks for asking, I too have just got bands and wondered what on earth they were for.

#7 Post by **jxds** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:34 am

It looks like you have the same elastics as me: one that goes from upper front to lower back, and one from lower front to upper back. They are intended to correct the midline.

#8 Post by **Boodles** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:07 pm

When my daughter first had elastics to close her bite I could not believe that they would work to be honest. But they did and fast

She did wear them exactly as directed and it only took a few weeks. The only down side was that a small gap opened up between two of her teeth where the bands had pulled one of the teeth sideways. We were worried that this would delay her debanding date as we knew that this was to be decided at the next visit. It did not however - the date was set for four weeks later (the earliest available slot) and the brace was tightened. The offending toot was back in position in less than a week

#9 Post by **bbsadmin** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:19 pm

I had to wear elastics for a few months. I was amazed at how quickly they changed my bite. So even though they seem rather strange and primitive, they do work!