Zig-zag elastics

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#1 Post by **texaslinda** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:13 am

I have had my braces on for a year now and at my ortho visit last week, she had me begin to wear elastics in a zig-zag form. The elastics start at my very back upper molar and go down to my lower back molar and then continue in a zig-zag fashion all the way to the front of my mouth. My mouth is basically wired shut with the rubber bands and it is very painful. The inside of my cheeks have been rubbed raw and I can't talk at all. Has anyone else had this and if so, does anyone know what this type of elastic positioning does? Will I ever get used to it? I don't know if I can function for the next 6 weeks or longer not being able to talk.

#2 Post by **Chris** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:56 pm

Sounds like he's trying to bring your back teeth to meet. That was a very sore configuration for me. You can ask if you can use "larger" elastics.

#3 Post by **JaneBy** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:49 pm

I had zig zags for about six weeks. That configuration is used to close the bite down. Unfortunately, due to some slide, I'm back in front to back elastics.

Out of all the configs, zig zag was the most painful. I was sore four or five days. But just like anything...it will get better!

Warm salt water rinses and soft foods.

But typically, zig zags are the last configuration, so you must be close to being brace free! Are your archwires cut? I enjoyed that part - or at least the ease of flossing.

#4 Post by **texaslinda** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 3:13 am

Hopefully I am close to the end. I will watch my midline in my top and bottom teeth to see that they stay straight and if there is any movement, I will call the ortho.
I still have the archwires, but I look forward to being able to floss again in a shorter period of time. Who knew that flossing would be something that I would want to do??

#5 Post by **Marzipan** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 2:59 pm

Use wax even on the elastics if necessary! I have done that when my cheek got rubbed raw. It's possible to put a sizable glob of wax on the bracket that the elastic is attached to, and kind of shaping it to go between the elastic and the cheek. It does help some.

Sure sounds like an unpleasant configuration, though.

#6 Post by **Marzipan** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 2:59 pm

Use wax even on the elastics if necessary! I have done that when my cheek got rubbed raw. It's possible to put a sizable glob of wax on the bracket that the elastic is attached to, and kind of shaping it to go between the elastic and the cheek. It does help some.

Sure sounds like an unpleasant configuration, though.