When do elastics typically go on?

Message

#1 Post by **tokidoki** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 8:40 am

My ortho said I'm going to need them, and when I asked he said not until "much later". But is there usually a specific time or stage in treatment when they're used? Toward the end? What are they even used for?

I don't have any wacky out-there teeth anymore, and that's what I thought they were used for. I do have a crossbite, I can only assume that's what it's going to fix. Do you know how elastics are used to treat that?

Thanks.

#2 Post by **johnnys_angel** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:43 am

I had 2 different elastics, one for moving my upper jaw to the left, and one elastic to close one side of my bite further. My elastics were used within the last six months of treatment, but I've heard of them used as little as 6 weeks or for as long as two years!

#3 Post by **michael33** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:49 am

10th month of treatment I rec'd my elastics.

#4 Post by **braceface69** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:09 pm

johnnys_angel wrote:I had 2 different elastics, one for moving my upper jaw to the left, and one elastic to close one side of my bite further. My elastics were used within the last six months of treatment, but I've heard of them used as little as 6 weeks or for as long as two years!

That's interesting! Right now my teeth are all straight but there are a couple gaps between the top and bottom when I close my mouth together (right side). I was wondering how they'd fix that. I didn't realize that they use elastics to correct things like that. Last time I saw my ortho he said that they were going to start correcting my bite next visit which is tomorrow! I can't wait now! I thought I'd have to keep these annoying gaps forever because nothing could be done!!!