Successful orthodontic treatment is a team effort. The orthodontist does most of the work, but the patient plays a very important role in achieving an optimal result. One of the major patient responsibilities is wearing your rubber bands as prescribed by your doctor.
So, what are your rubber bands doing and why do we need them? This depends on the type of rubber bands you need. Rubber bands are important to help correct your bite.
Here are some of the most common rubber bands you may see:
Class II Rubber Bands: These are often used to correct your overbite
Class III Rubber Bands: These are often used to correct your underbite
Triangle Elastics: These are often used to settle your bite and help your teeth fit together better
Many of these tooth movements cannot be achieved with brackets and wires alone.
Can my orthodontist tell if I have been wearing my rubber bands appropriately? YES! We can tell.
How? We have records of where your bite was at your last visit and we know how many millimeters your teeth can move with rubber band wear each month; so we can tell if you’ve been wearing your rubber bands just by looking at how much progress your teeth have made.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us. We are happy to help!
Have a great day,
— Dr. Kirsten Frazier
