How long before needing to change elastics?

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jtsang
Posts: 115
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:47 pm

How long before needing to change elastics?

#1 Post by jtsang »

Hi! I just got elastics today. How long can I wear them before putting on a new pair? Thanks!
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chichi
Posts: 485
Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:44 pm
Location: East Coast, USA

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#2 Post by chichi »

I usually change mine twice a day. I started out changing them once a day because that's what the assistant said to do, but they lose their elasticity pretty quickly.
Had Damons (ceramic upper, metal lower) from June 27, 2013 - January 20, 2015
15-18 month sentence, official time in braces was 18 months, 3 weeks, 3 days
My Story: http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=45054

User avatar
mapleleafman888
Posts: 545
Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 11:59 am

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#3 Post by mapleleafman888 »

I was told by my ortho that I would need to change them about 4 times a day. I change them after every meal, and at night before bed so this works out to 4-5 times per day.
My story:http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=45354
Image
Upper and Lower Damon Braces for 18 months!
I met 46 braceface adults when I had braces myself!

jtsang
Posts: 115
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:47 pm

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#4 Post by jtsang »

chichi wrote:I usually change mine twice a day. I started out changing them once a day because that's what the assistant said to do, but they lose their elasticity pretty quickly.
chichi, I should had google searched before posting here.

http://www.getyourbraces.com/elastics-( ... ands).html

Answered most of my elastic questions :)
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jtsang
Posts: 115
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:47 pm

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#5 Post by jtsang »

mapleleafman888 wrote:I was told by my ortho that I would need to change them about 4 times a day. I change them after every meal, and at night before bed so this works out to 4-5 times per day.
I got two baggies of elastics. Would it last me until next month if I change them 4 times a day?
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chichi
Posts: 485
Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:44 pm
Location: East Coast, USA

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#6 Post by chichi »

jtsang wrote:I got two baggies of elastics. Would it last me until next month if I change them 4 times a day?
It depends on how many elastics are in your baggies. Mine come in packs of 100.. not sure whether that's standard or not
Had Damons (ceramic upper, metal lower) from June 27, 2013 - January 20, 2015
15-18 month sentence, official time in braces was 18 months, 3 weeks, 3 days
My Story: http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=45054

jtsang
Posts: 115
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:47 pm

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#7 Post by jtsang »

chichi wrote:
jtsang wrote:I got two baggies of elastics. Would it last me until next month if I change them 4 times a day?
It depends on how many elastics are in your baggies. Mine come in packs of 100.. not sure whether that's standard or not
should i pour them out and count?? it's not labeled on the bag..
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TMJJill
Posts: 827
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 7:18 pm

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#8 Post by TMJJill »

I only ran out once. I'm 45 minutes away from my Orthodontist. I called them when I got low and they just stuck a couple packages in the mail for me. No charge, no hassle. :)
Image

Braces as Phase II treatment for TMJD.
Lower mandibular repositioning splint 26 months.
Lower braces on 10.75 months into Phase II treatment.
Duration in braces: 2 years, 2 weeks, 5 days
Removal of Braces: September 18, 2013

TMJD treatment now complete!

jtsang
Posts: 115
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:47 pm

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#9 Post by jtsang »

TMJJill wrote:I only ran out once. I'm 45 minutes away from my Orthodontist. I called them when I got low and they just stuck a couple packages in the mail for me. No charge, no hassle. :)
Nice!!
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chichi
Posts: 485
Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:44 pm
Location: East Coast, USA

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#10 Post by chichi »

jtsang wrote:should i pour them out and count?? it's not labeled on the bag..
haha that might be unnecessary. Just do what TMJJill says and ask for more if you're running low.
Had Damons (ceramic upper, metal lower) from June 27, 2013 - January 20, 2015
15-18 month sentence, official time in braces was 18 months, 3 weeks, 3 days
My Story: http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=45054

sirwired
Posts: 2104
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:05 am

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#11 Post by sirwired »

I'm pretty sure just about every ortho will mail you more if you ask; they really want you to wear them and they are really cheap. Personally, I changed them every time I had to take them out... that meant after every meal (or snack) and at bedtime. I kept a pack in each bathroom at home, and a pack in each car.

jtsang
Posts: 115
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:47 pm

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#12 Post by jtsang »

sirwired wrote:I'm pretty sure just about every ortho will mail you more if you ask; they really want you to wear them and they are really cheap. Personally, I changed them every time I had to take them out... that meant after every meal (or snack) and at bedtime. I kept a pack in each bathroom at home, and a pack in each car.

Thank you! I will call them when I am low. They are only a couple miles away so I can just drop by for more. :)
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mapleleafman888
Posts: 545
Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 11:59 am

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#13 Post by mapleleafman888 »

jtsang wrote:
mapleleafman888 wrote:I was told by my ortho that I would need to change them about 4 times a day. I change them after every meal, and at night before bed so this works out to 4-5 times per day.
I got two baggies of elastics. Would it last me until next month if I change them 4 times a day?
If you change your elastics 5 times a day that's 300 elastics per month ((150x2)this includes left and right sides). I think the bags are filled to 100. I got 3 bags to start, and I got my ortho to mail me out another 3...I have exactly 2 months between appoinments so 6 bags will work out perfectly.
My story:http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=45354
Image
Upper and Lower Damon Braces for 18 months!
I met 46 braceface adults when I had braces myself!

jtsang
Posts: 115
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:47 pm

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#14 Post by jtsang »

mapleleafman888 wrote:
jtsang wrote:
mapleleafman888 wrote:I was told by my ortho that I would need to change them about 4 times a day. I change them after every meal, and at night before bed so this works out to 4-5 times per day.
I got two baggies of elastics. Would it last me until next month if I change them 4 times a day?
If you change your elastics 5 times a day that's 300 elastics per month ((150x2)this includes left and right sides). I think the bags are filled to 100. I got 3 bags to start, and I got my ortho to mail me out another 3...I have exactly 2 months between appoinments so 6 bags will work out perfectly.
Awesome! Thank you maple!!
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Anna5
Posts: 990
Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 9:05 am

Re: How long before needing to change elastics?

#15 Post by Anna5 »

The ortho assistant told me to change them once a day, but I think it is much better to change them more often, so I asked for a few extra bags of elastics which was no problem. I change them about 4 times a day.

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