Rubber Bands

[softpink86]

Im about 4.5 months into my braces. I had the top wire switched out this week and the ortho now has me wearing rubber bands. After 3 days, Im finally getting used to them. I should have asked while I was there, but Im curious why Im having to wear them?

I wish I could take a pic, could probably get better responses....but, the rubber bands are hooked to the 2nd to last molar on the bottom, then up over the braket on the canine tooth (on top), then down again and hooked on the tooth behind the bottom canine.

I dont have any bite problems, which I read is one of the reasons rubber bands are used. I also read they are used to make space, which could be it? And finally, I read that rubber bands are primarily used at the end of treatment. Im only 4.5 months in what is suppose to be about a 15 month treatment.

Any words of wisdom? Thanks!

[ports]

Hey. I got my braces in January 2011. I got my rubber bands at my July checkup. So I'm now on my 4th month of using them.

Here's how they number the teeth, I believe.

Dead center, (top or bottom), are the #1 teeth. Then 2, so far, and your back molars (2nd molars are 7). Then you've got the U or L designation for upper and lower.

My rubber bands just go from the bottom 6 to the top 4.

I have an underbite, so it's to pull my jaw forward... but I'm older than dirt, and my jaw is fused... seems to help, but we'll see.

The rubber bands can be used throughout, for lots of things.

The early part of braces is simply blowing things up. Creating space, and getting things loose. You're still in that stage. So the rubber bands are probably just helping that along.

How do you put your rubber bands in? I don't really have fingernails, so I went to the hardware store and bought some special tweezers.

[softpink86]

Ports, Your right! During the past few days I have noticed a big difference in my teeth! There are big gaps in the top front teeth, so the bands are definitely working and creating space!

They are fairly easy for me to put in. I dont have long nails either, but they just hook on with out a problem. I do have to open pretty wide to get to the back molar and that has caused my lips to crack, but I just keep chap stick near by at all times!

Do you eat with your rubber bands in? My ortho said to try and eat with them in, but Im not comfortable with it, so I take them out to eat. I brush after I eat and put them right back in.

[ports]

I don't see how you can eat with rubber bands, if they connect the upper and low. Since mine go down to my 1st molar (6th tooth), and I try to chew there. Anytime I forget and eat first, I usually feel the rubber band pop off on the first bite.. so I just take them off.

[justjenn]

I'm also not quite sure what rubber bands are for. I've been in them for about 10-12 months. I'm on my last few weeks of braces and I have to wear 4 rubber bands in the front of my mouth. It's not comfy to eat, so I take them out to eat and put them in shortly afterwards. I've gotten to used to wearing rubber bands over the months and now feel strange when I don't have them in.

[lightskinnnn38]

I have been wearing rubber bands for about 7 months now, and the reason was to move my lower jaw forward to reduce my overbite. But I also noticed that my rubber bands were fixing my midline as well!

[coconut]

I don't see how you can eat with rubber bands, if they connect the upper and low. Since mine go down to my 1st molar (6th tooth), and I try to chew there. Anytime I forget and eat first, I usually feel the rubber band pop off on the first bite.. so I just take them off.

I had box elastics on my posterior teeth and my ortho instructed me to eat with them in place. It was as you say...they often popped off and if they didn't, they got shredded instead. I'd go through about 6 a day simply through having to replace shredded (or inadvertently consumed) elastics.

[ports]

coconut, isn't having braces like being a baby again? You end up eating all kinds of weird stuff and wondering where it will go.

[softpink86]

I had box elastics on my posterior teeth and my ortho instructed me to eat with them in place. It was as you say...they often popped off and if they didn't, they got shredded instead. I'd go through about 6 a day simply through having to replace shredded (or inadvertently consumed) elastics.


Well, I havent eaten an elastic....YET! But, I can't even tell you how much wax I have accidentally eaten!

[ports]

You can eat the wax though. It's not bad for you. I wouldn't make a meal out of it. but it's basically the same wax that's on your green peppers and cucumbers.