Interarch elastics are important to a successful orthodontic outcome

If you’ve never closely examined your braces, or your child’s, you may not be aware of how many separate parts they contain. Traditional braces are applied by first bonding metal attachments directly onto the teeth. Then a wire, called an arch-wire, is run through slots in the brackets; this wire applies the pressure needed to move the teeth. Tiny rubber bands, in a choice of colors, hold the wire in place. The orthodontist replaces these bands, called ligatures, at each visit and patients can choose different colors each time.

For many patients, another type of rubber band will be needed to achieve proper alignment. These are interarch rubber bands, which orthodontists refer to as simply elastics. When elastics are used, they are critical to help adjust the position of the teeth.

Usually interarch elastics connect a top tooth to a bottom one at an angle that applies force in the direction the teeth need to be moved – down toward the back for an overbite, up toward the back for an underbite, for example.

Young people, especially, can feel self-conscious about elastics, but it would be long and difficult to create a beautiful smile without them.

Here are some FAQs about orthodontic elastics:

• The elastics are very strong and can move the teeth faster and more efficiently than braces without elastics. When worn correctly, they can greatly shorten treatment time.
• In some cases, elastics do not need to be worn all day. The wear time can occasionally be as short as 12 hours (usually overnight). It is essential to follow the orthodontist’s instructions.
• All-day wear generally means 23 hours or so because you will need to remove the elastics to eat or brush your teeth. Usually, each time you take them out you’ll replace them with new ones – they stretch easily. This is not a time to cheat: The force of the elastics is what moves your teeth or jaw, and you cannot skimp on wear time if you want your treatment to progress correctly.
• It may be tempting to double up on elastics with the idea that twice the pressure will move the teeth twice as fast – but that doesn’t work. In fact, too much pressure can slow down tooth movement and damage roots.
• Elastics can seem tedious or even a little painful at first, but those feelings will lessen as you get used to wearing them and appreciate how quickly the teeth are re-positioned.
• Most elastics are made of latex, but your orthodontist has synthetic ones available if you have a latex allergy.
• Elastics come in various strengths, ranging from light to extra heavy, enabling your orthodontist to choose the one that works precisely for you.

Modern braces are a complex process that, in skilled hands, can transform your smile and your dental health. Interarch elastics are one tool orthodontists can choose to create the perfect bite for you. If they seem to be a little more trouble at first, when the procedure is finished, and you smile into your mirror, you will agree they were worth it. You might even say the results were magical.