Orthodontic elastics are very small rubber bands that come in a variety of fun and neutral colours. Here are a few things you should know about your elastics in order to get the most out of your braces treatment.
There are two types of rubber bands used in orthodontic treatment. Ligatures are the first type. Ligatures wrap around each individual bracket in order to keep the archwire in place. These stay in place at all times, and are only removed by the orthodontist during adjustment appointments.
Ligatures are always a part of braces treatment, however there's another type of elastics that some patients need for additional support. These are called interarch bands. Interarch bands help fix your bite and align your jaw.
If interarch bands are part of your orthodontic treatment, you should only ever take them off if necessary in order to eat, floss or brush your teeth. Whatever your dentist or orthodontist prescribes, be sure to follow their instructions exactly, so that you don't send your treatment off track.
Generally, interarch elastics must be replaced once a day.
Orthodontic elastics come in a wide range of colour options. You might enjoy changing out the colours each time you visit your orthodontist for an adjustment appointment. There are limitless colour combinations you can choose, and this can make braces treatment a bit more fun for patients.
Some people prefer to have a discreet look and choose clear or silver coloured elastics that blend in with their braces, while others choose to have a rainbow smile that really stands out.