Elastics on braces

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HeyKay1991
Posts: 38
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 6:45 pm

Elastics on braces

#1 Post by HeyKay1991 »

Sooo...today I was blessed with the joy of getting rubber bands on my damon brackets. How do I master the task of putting them on?! Of course they showed me but I can't do it myself. I had to take them off when I ate and then tried to put them back on...couldn't do it. It's impossible and such a hassle. I work in a call center and have to sit on the phone for 8 hours...I don't have time to worry about putting rubber bands on PLUS they said I have to change the every 3-4 hours. Nope. I can't. Anybody got any ideas/hints/suggestions on dealing with rubber bands?
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cata
Posts: 102
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 8:15 pm

Re: Elastics on braces

#2 Post by cata »

Try using tweezers.
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sirwired
Posts: 2104
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:05 am

Re: Elastics on braces

#3 Post by sirwired »

Most ortho's have little tools they can give you to help, but I guess yours didn't. Fiddle around with tweezers, and soon enough you won't even need those; it just takes practice.
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mapleleafman888
Posts: 546
Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 11:59 am

Re: Elastics on braces

#4 Post by mapleleafman888 »

What's your configuration?
My story:http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtop ... =9&t=45354
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Upper and Lower Damon Braces for 18 months!
I met 46 braceface adults when I had braces myself!
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HeyKay1991
Posts: 38
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 6:45 pm

Re: Elastics on braces

#5 Post by HeyKay1991 »

[quote="mapleleafman888"]What's your configuration?[/quote]

Not too sure what you mean but they're triangle shaped? Sorry I am not at all sure!
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anedia
Posts: 108
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2013 8:27 am
Location: Olathe, KS

Re: Elastics on braces

#6 Post by anedia »

Just keep trying, you'll get used to it. I used to have to do it in front of mirror. Then I always used the camera on my phone. Now I can do it without even looking lol

WEAR YOUR ELASTICS. Not wearing them is only going to extend your time in braces.
First Consultation: July 16th, 2013
Second Consultation: August 21st, 2013
Extractions (Wisdom + baby tooth): August 22nd, 2013
Brace Date: September 4th, 2013
First Adjustment: October 18th, 2013.
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mapleleafman888
Posts: 546
Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 11:59 am

Re: Elastics on braces

#7 Post by mapleleafman888 »

HeyKay1991 wrote:
mapleleafman888 wrote:What's your configuration?
Not too sure what you mean but they're triangle shaped? Sorry I am not at all sure!
Yup you got what I meant...like the previous poster said just use a mirror at first until you get it down and soon it'll become easy to put elastics in. I had elastics for 8 months and ortho says I'm ahead of schedule (I wore them religiously). It will matter, so just power through and wear them as prescribed and change them as often as your ortho said.
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!
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djspeece
Posts: 2113
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:36 am
Location: North Canton, Ohio USA

Re: Elastics on braces

#8 Post by djspeece »

For me the trick is to make sure you spread the elastics apart bit with one of your fingers to maximize the ability to capture the hook (I loop one end around my index finger). They still fly off and snap me when I get impatient and am in a hurry, but it seems to work well enough.
Dan

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. -- Buddist saying
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HeyKay1991
Posts: 38
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 6:45 pm

Re: Elastics on braces

#9 Post by HeyKay1991 »

Thanks guys for the tips! It took a little time but I finally got used to putting them on! Sometimes though if I don't do it right they snap back and pop me in the face lol
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boodles8
Posts: 139
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2013 4:10 pm

Re: Elastics on braces

#10 Post by boodles8 »

Sometimes though if I don't do it right they snap back and pop me in the face lol
Sounds familiar! Glad you got it figured out.
Boodles8

Braced July, 2012
BSSO August, 2013
Debraced October 2, 2014
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