If you wear braces, your dentist may have advised you to use rubber bands to straighten your teeth. With a little patience they are not at all difficult to insert, but it takes time to get used to holding them. Always follow the orthodontist's instructions regarding the use of rubber bands.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Connecting the Rubber Bands
Step 1. Get instructions
If you are prescribed braces and rubber bands, your dentist will teach you how to use and wear them. The rubber bands must be fixed in different ways, according to the structure of the mouth and the problem that you want to correct. First, you should therefore ask the dentist everything about the rubber bands; If, after leaving the clinic, you still have doubts or are unsure of how to proceed, call your doctor.
Step 2. Recognize the various parts of the appliance
The rubber bands are generally attached to the hooks that are located on the attachments (or brackets). Before proceeding alone, it is important to understand what are the various elements that make up the orthodontic device.
- The brackets are triangular structures that are glued to the central part of the teeth. They are connected to each other through an arc of metal wire made up of several small sections.
- If you also need to use the rubber bands, the orthodontist will strategically apply hooks and anchor points to various parts of the appliance. These are the structures you will need to attach them to; their number and position depend on the disposition that the bands themselves will have to assume.
Step 3. Insert the vertical rubber bands
These represent the most common pattern that is used in orthodontics and their function is to realign teeth that are too spaced or crooked.
- When the doctor chooses this type of arrangement, he will attach a total of six hooks on the brackets. Two will be placed between the upper canines, the pointed teeth found in the corners of the smile. The remaining four will be applied to the lower arch: two on the lower canines (at the corners of the mouth) and two near the molars, in a more lateral position.
- You will need to use two rubber bands. Hook them on each side of the mouth, around the upper arch anchor and the two lower arch anchors, to form a kind of triangle.
Step 4. Show how to insert the crossed rubber bands
This is another configuration widely used when applying the appliance and its purpose is to correct the protrusion of the upper arch (overbite).
- In this case, you will only need one rubber band. On the left or right side of the face, the doctor will have fixed an anchor on the molars of the upper arch, on their inner side (near the tongue). You will find another anchor on the lower molars, this time on the side facing the cheek.
- Connect these two anchors with a rubber band, attaching it to the top one first.
Step 5. Apply second and third class rubber bands
These represent variations on the cross arrangement and are used to correct different problems.
- Second class rubber bands are also used in overbite cases. Your dentist may prescribe them in association with the cross-arrangement, based on the type and severity of your malocclusion. An anchor will be fixed on the upper canines, on the external face of the teeth; another will be placed on the lower arch, on the first molar. This will also be on the opposite side from the tongue. Hook the rubber band so that it connects the first anchor to the second.
- The third class elastics are used to correct the protrusion of the lower arch (prognathism). The first anchor is fixed on the lower canines, towards the tongue; the second anchor is located on the upper arch, in correspondence with the first molar, always facing the tongue. Attach the elastic to these two hooks.
Step 6. Apply the front elastics
These help correct an open bite, a type of malocclusion that prevents you from closing your mouth completely.
- The orthodontist places four anchors, two on the upper arch and two on the lower one, in correspondence with the external face of the incisors. These are the sharpest teeth, positioned to the left and right of the middle pair.
- Tie a rubber band around all four hooks, forming a kind of square.
Part 2 of 3: Taking Care of Your Teeth
Step 1. Understand why the rubber bands are needed
Many people don't like having to wear them. However, the orthodontist prescribed them to you for a reason; ask me to explain it to you in detail.
- The orthodontic appliance itself can change the alignment of the teeth and put them back straight. The rubber bands, on the other hand, push the jaw forward or backward to align the arches with each other, so that they adhere correctly when you close the bite.
- If you have severe malocclusion (overbite or prognathism), you will most likely be prescribed rubber bands. Remember to wear them as your dentist has suggested and only take them off when you need to brush your teeth.
Step 2. Change the bands three times a day
Unless you have been instructed otherwise, the bands should be replaced as often as they lose their traction over time. Change them before bed and after meals to stick to this routine.
Step 3. Immediately replace the lost or broken ones
In case they break or fall off overnight and you are unable to find them, you must replace them immediately. The rubber bands should be worn all day, every day. For every day you spend without these corrective tools, you lose three of treatment. This means that you will have to wear the appliance longer than you would like.
Part 3 of 3: Managing the Presence of the Rubber Bands
Step 1. Be prepared to feel some discomfort
It will take some time for the teeth to get used to the presence of the rubber bands. Expect to suffer a little in the first few days.
- The first 24 hours after applying the rubber bands are generally the worst. Later, you will be able to wear them continuously without major discomfort.
- If the pain is severe, consider a gradual approach to using the rubber bands with your orthodontist, rather than starting to wear them immediately 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Step 2. Get spare rubber bands
The ones prescribed by the doctor are usually quite sturdy, but sometimes they break or come off the anchors. For this reason, you must always have some spare parts. If you need to leave the house, keep a small packet in your pocket or purse.
Step 3. Have fun with the colors available
The rubber bands are constructed in various different shades. Since many people don't feel particularly attractive when wearing braces, using colored rubber bands is a fun way to tackle the aesthetic issue.
- Try matching colors on special occasions, such as holidays. For example, you can wear red and green ones on Christmas.
- Ask for those in your favorite color to be delivered to you. Some orthodontists have fluorescent or glitter rubber bands available for teens and younger kids.
