While it may seem like the rubber bands situated between upper and lower braces may be unimportant, they actually make a difference in the effectiveness of your braces in fixing your bite. Your orthodontist might wait until you’ve had your braces for a few weeks or months, but eventually they’ll want to add rubber bands to the treatment plan. Keep reading to learn the answer to “When do you start wearing rubber bands for braces” and more about how Mateirie’s top-quality braces create beautiful smiles.
When Will I Get Rubber Bands for My Braces?
As you get closer to finishing your orthodontic treatment, you may have to start putting rubber bands on your braces to force your teeth into the proper positions. Not every mouth will need rubber bands, and since the straightening process varies for each patient, you may have to use these bands at a different time than other patients and for a varying length of time.
Why Wear Rubber Bands on Braces?
Before we get into the why of rubber bands on braces, let’s talk about what these bands look like. Many patients confuse elastic ligatures or the tiny bands that fit around individual brackets, with rubber bands. While elastic ligatures do perform a particular function as well, rubber bands operate in a significantly different way.
When you get rubber bands on your braces, your orthodontist prescribes a particular size and force that patients must switch out daily, or sometimes several times a day. The forces generated by these braces affect how your braces move your teeth to fix certain dental conditions.
Are There Different Types of Rubber Bands for Braces?
Rubber bands for braces come in various sizes and force amounts. Depending on the alignments needed for your teeth, your orthodontist will guide you in which diameter and pressures to use. These sizes can change over the course of your overall treatment, and keeping up with these changes helps you get out of your braces faster.
What Dental Issues Do Rubber Bands on Braces Correct?
If you’re asking, “When do you start wearing rubber bands for braces?” understand that different types of dental problems can create the need for rubber bands. The most common reasons for adding rubber bands to your orthodontist treatment plan include:
- Overbites
- Crossbites
- Open bites
- Underbites
- Closure of spaces where teeth were extracted
Depending on the severity of your dental problems, your orthodontist might make you wear rubber bands for the majority of treatment or only during the last couple of weeks. Again, refusing to wear your rubber bands or not changing them out as directed can result in you needing to keep your braces for a longer amount of time. Not only does that mean you’ll have to wear them for a longer time, but it can cost you thousands more in other corrective procedures in the future.
How to Make Wearing Rubber Bands on Braces More Fun
While no one necessarily calls orthodontic treatments fun, you can get creative with your rubber bands while having to use them. Coordinate your bands’ colors with your favorite themes, including:
- Your school colors
- Your personal identity
- Your favorite sports team
- Upcoming holiday color schemes
Color coordination can make wearing rubber bands more enjoyable since you can use them as a form of self-expression. You can choose any colors that make you happy, whether they have significance or not.
Top Orthodontic Treatment in Metairie, LA, With Maldonado Orthodontics
If you have recently visited the orthodontist and are curious about the timing for wearing rubber bands with braces, it is important to understand that the primary goal of braces is to establish correct alignment and facilitate a comfortable bite. It’s worth noting that the use of rubber bands varies from person to person during their treatment journey. While some individuals may not require rubber bands at all, others may incorporate them into their treatment plan.Learn more about everything from rubber bands to how an orthodontist can help with crossbites by calling Maldonado Orthodontics in Metairie, LA, at (504) 455-5581.
