• 24 hour elastic wear unless otherwise instructed.
• Plan ahead. Take elastics to school, work or trips. Ask for an extra package if needed.
• If you should run out of elastics before your next appointment, call 777-7060 and we will mail you more.

Purpose:

Intraoral elastic bands are placed on the braces to move teeth. Sometimes it is not possible to adjust only the wires in order to cause the teeth to move as they should. Intraoral elastic bands are placed specifically to move teeth in a planned direction.

HOW TO WEAR ELASTIC BANDS:

You will be given a special size of elastic bands to be placed as you have been shown in the office. Place your own elastic bands before leaving the office in case you are confused about the wearing location of the elastics. Wearing elastic bands will make your teeth SORE as they cause the teeth to move. Leave them in and the soreness will go away within a few days. Don't try to work your way into wearing them; having them in a couple of hours here and there will result in continual soreness. Wearing your elastic bands 24 hours per day will be necessary for tooth moving to occur unless you are specifically otherwise instructed. It is also helpful to eat with the elastics in place. Be sure to replace the elastic bands 1-2 times per day because the elasticity is gradually lost. NEVER switch sizes of elastic bands or wear more than you have been instructed to wear. This could cause your teeth to move the wrong way and set back your orthodontic progress. Remember, good elastic wear is a major key to the removal of your braces. It is up to you!

If a hook breaks or comes loose, call us immediately so we can fix the problem. Waiting until your next appointment will delay treatment completion.

Our number one goal is to give you the best smile possible and shorten the time you must wear your braces. Cooperation in wearing your elastics as instructed will help you and us achieve this goal!