Rubber bands with Invisalign?

[dopamine]

On my 4th set, my orth says I need to incorporate rubber bands to correct for an overbite. Just wondering how much of a pain in the butt this will be. Anyone care to share their experiences? Thanks!

[Rosieee]

Hi all, kinda new but not really.

The above link takes you to a post which shows photos of what rubber bands look like.

[dopamine]

Thanks for the link!

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

The elastics are probably more of an adjustment for those with fixed braces than Invisalign since they aren't used to having to take something out and put something back in. With Invisalign, you're already accustomed to putting on and taking off your aligners, so adding a couple of elastics should easily become part of your routine .

[dopamine]

Great, glad to hear!

[fangtastic]

Hi

I had an elastic on one side for about 8 months of my treatment for my overbite. Like everything with Invisalign, once I got used to it I barely noticed it. It just becomes part of your routine. I did find I got bad jaw pain on one side for a week or two when I first got the elastic -something I've heard people with regular braces and elastics say happened to them too. Once I adjusted to it I never got pain again though

THe extra large button I had to get attached to hold the elastic did rub off the inside of my cheek sometimes as well, not a problem I ever had with my other regular sized attachments

All in all it was fine though!

[SweetPea]

The rubber bands are only annoying when you first get them. At first they are awkward to put in and take out but just like with the aligners it won't be long before you are snapping them on and off. I had to use that little hook shown in the picture on the posted link I think for like a week maybe. I was able to figure out quickly how to put them on and take them off one handed. I'm sure it will be the same for you. They make the trays a little more uncomfortable than usual for the first couple of days and then they don't even bother at all. The trick is to always have them on if your aligners are in cause if they are off for a long period of time you have to readjust to the discomfort over and over again cause your teeth shift back without the bands on. Good luck with them!

[dopamine]

Nice.. that don't sound too bad.

[locksbylace]

I have rubber bands on 3 of my teeth (all in the front and on the top). It's been PAINFUL...like to the point of migraines. I was halfway done with my treatment when we incorporated these. They are a bit of pain to put on and sometimes really hard to get off (even with the little tool I was given)...but that part isn't so bad. I'm a bit annoyed at the attachments used with incorporating the rubber bands. They are larger than the "buttons", show a great deal, and get in the way. Since obviously the bands need somewhere to attach I have 3 attachments in the back. Whenever I eat my bottom teeth will hit these and I feel as though I'm going to break my front tooth off...it hurts so bad! I'm not longer eating regular foods and am sticking with soft foods to avoid the pain. I know there's supposed to be pain with braces...that makes sense to me. But since adding the bands I've been taking OTC pain meds non stop. I have to have ice cold water by my side at all times to ease the pain. I find myself tensing up due to the pain (which probably just creates more pain!)...and even constant migraines. Am I saying this is typical? Probably not...but this is my experience with them! Luckily I don't think I'll have to wear them for very long (fingers crossed!). I'm not fixing an over bite situation...he's trying to pull 3 of my teeth back the level as the rest.
Good luck!

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

Attachments would be the white filling material bonded to the tooth to fit into the aligner "wells". A button can be clear or metal. To extrude teeth, often times a button is placed on the lingual of the tooth, and it is wrapped around the incisal edge of the tooth, and attached to the buccal side of the aligner.

One thing about elastics is that they are better worn all the time, than sporadically. They shouldn't be so painful to cause migraines. Speak to your doctor about biting on the buttons, as it may cause excess trauma to your teeth and be the cause of your discomfort, rather than the use of elastics.

Good luck!

[thedistrict3]

I have elastics on each side ranging from my top canines to my back molar teeth on the bottom. The first couple of days were extra painful due to the new tray and the elastics but I quickly got used to it and here I am!

Also, the way they cut the trays to make a spot for the elastics hurt my gums for a bit, but all is good now.

You can do it!

[Torrrsccott]

Last month, I saw young girl bring interviewed on TV regarding some incident at school. She had braces and rubber bands. I thought to myself those bands look really ugly. I was glad to have invisalign. I had my ortho appointment a week after and he installed some brackets and told me to wear BANDS on each side!!! lol Every time I wear them I think of that girl now.

They were annoying at the beginning, but like anything else I'm getting used to it. It's been 3 weeks now. They don't bother me anymore. I'm just more self conscious....if I have presentation or anything I take them off. I do try to wear them more than 20 hrs/day.

[Sunny]

Torrrsccott ... kinda like karma!

It's good that you're trying to wear your elastics 20 hours per day, but remember you're having orthodontic treatment, so there's no need to hide things like elastic bands, as they're a common part of ortho treatment.

Good luck with your progress!

[Torrrsccott]

Thanks Sunny.

Yeah karma for sure! I guess with time I'll be more comfortable with the bands.

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

@Torrsccott There are elastics that are completely clear. Most elastics used during orthodontic treatment have a yellow tinge to them. Ask your dentist is they have these latex-free or clear elastics if you're concerned about the appearance.

[Torrrsccott]

Thanks for the advice Dr. Tam. I will ask my dentist for clear elastics.