[BRACES EXPLAINED] Elastics / Rubber Bands

Braces Explained: Elastics / Rubber Bands

In this video, I will be answer the question of "what are elastics / rubber bands?" and "what are they used for?" Elastics are like power chains but instead of aligning the teeth in an individual arch, they are used to coordinate your upper and lower teeth and improve your bite. Our goal as orthodontists is to not only make you have an incredible smile but have a comfortable bite, as well!

In this video, I also explain the difference between a class I, class II, and class III canine relationship and how your orthodontist may ask you to wear elastics to help correct these different bite relationships.

Two major points I stress is 1] wearing your elastics as much as possible and 2] wearing them properly. If you don't wear your elastics 24/7, except when eating and brushing your teeth, you will never get used to them (meaning that it will ache whenever you do wear them), and also you won't achieve the results you need! This often results in a much longer treatment time than necessary. It's much like pushing a ball up the hill. If you only push it part of the way and let it go, it will roll back down the hill to where you started. If you wear them as prescribed, though, you will make your treatment go super fast and have an amazing result.

I understand that it may be difficult in the beginning to place your elastics but keep at it and I promise you it will become easier! Ask your orthodontist if they have these nifty tools to help you place these elastics if you're having a hard time placing your elastics.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me via the comments below! Also, leave comments about what rubber band layout your orthodontist had you do and see if anybody else had to do the same!


See you next time!

Greg Asatrian, D.D.S.

This video may contain orthodontic appliances, devices and/or procedural content. The content seen in this video is provided only for education purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For personalized advice, please be sure to visit a professional orthodontist near you!

[missmaomi]

“YOUUU HAVE TO WEAR IT!!” Lol.. I feel like you were talking directly to me 😆 ***puts my elastics back in****

[Lily-kcjj]

i wish my orthodontist explained this like this to me. they literally tell me nothing so i never know if it’s going right or wrong

[camilaoliver]

Who else is getting braces and is having a braces marathon

[Faizaabukar]

Wearing elastics hurt too much. I always come back to watch this video to keep me motivated to push through and wear my elastics constantly no matter how painful they might be. I personally want to correct my bite and elastics are the only thing that will! So guys be consistent and don’t give up!

[elenajewel]

Just want to say... I’ve had braces for SIX years. I never wore my bands when I first got them, then I switched doctors and my new orthodontist put me in springs (for y’all that don’t know, it’s like rubber bands but huge metal ones you can’t take out). I got them removed three days ago and he gave me elastics to wear as two triangles one each side (four bands total). It’s been 3 days and I already see more improvement and change in my bite than I did with several months of the springs. WEAR YOUR BANDS. I hate them, but my dr says if I wear them like my life depends on it, I’ll have my braces off by prom!🤞🏻wish me luck!!

[carmentran]

Who has braces already and just watching these videos because they can’t get over their braces ? Like
If you are!

[mauricev]

Having braces while the world is forced to wear masks, perfect timing

[rica]

watching this video from 2 years ago while dying in pain of elastics in my front teeth. Lord give me strength, I feel like dying. It is so painful. 😭

[samirac]

i can proudly say that ive worn my elastics 24/7 (apart from eating and brushing) and im very happy that im listening to my ortho

[tinlomibao]

I just took off my rubber bands because they hurt... BUT you very well convinced me to put them back on when you went close to your camera & said “YOU NEED TO WEAR IT!” I feel so guilty for taking them off.. 😂

[alianamanzana]

I am soooo HAPPY, braces were INVENTED! I LOVE having the ability to know i can have a beautiful smile. I’ve been waiting for forever to get my braces and I’ve had them on for a year and I have 10 months to go! Can’t to take them off and thank my orthodontist for the work he has caused me and my beautiful smile! Thank you orthodontists 💕💕💕

[marcotunadaldosspirri]

Thank you for your explanations! Few additional questions:

- How can elastic move the jaws? Are they really moving the jaws or simply repositioning the teeth?

- How can the teeth match correctly in their new position? I assume elastics are not so precise as the metal wire, so it is fascinating how they can work too!

- When elastics have done their work, how do you prevent teeth to go back to their original position?

Thank you very much in advance for your attention!

Marco

[nataniellouie]

When you're talking to someone and then your elastics flew out and shoots to that someone, *He's so disgusted*

[lt.generalmills]

A week before I got my braces off I had to wear "giraffe" bands zig zagged from back to front. my teeth were pulled together so tight that I couldn't open my mouth even the slightest bit. Everyone made a game of trying to get me to laugh for the entire week. EVIL.

[paytonjacobellis]

I opened up my history textbook and found an elastic 😂

[ultimatdanklin]

Oh god my elastics are painful. I've been getting constant migraines all day and want to take it off. But I'll keep it on for you bud

[bryonnahgullixon]

i put my elastics on after this video..

[COCINADEIGNACIOmarzo]

Hello Dr Greg, your videos are so helpful and well explained. Thanks for helping others!

[richardcohen]

Dr. I perform orthodontics as a dual trained Pediatric Dentist -Orthodontist. I just LOVE your videos. Thank you for doing this. I will give my patients your YOUTUBE URL and advise them to watch. You do an amazing job explaining everything so our patients can understand. Thank you again for doing this, and apologize for perhaps improving my patients experience thru YOUR hard work. I am sure these videos and your INSTAGRAM account brings you much personal rewards and success ....you are FANTASTIC!

[v]

I’ve been wearing braces for the past 2 years, getting them off soon. But my orthodontist taught me how to place the elastics on. I get the really thick ones so you can imagine how painful this is. And my dentist says the more I wear the bands, the faster I will get these braces off but I hate wearing them, now that I watched this video I kind of want to start wearing them. The bite looks really good.