When using braces to straighten your teeth, your orthodontist may suggest the use of elastics as a part of your treatment. Orthodontic elastics, also known as rubber bands, help with creating specific forces on the teeth to assist with correcting the bite.

Braces have different parts including the brackets, archwire, and two types of elastics (ligatures and interarch rubber bands). Ligatures are the small rubber bands that are looped around each bracket to hold the archwire in place. These elastics help to apply the necessary forces to push or pull the teeth in the direction that is set by your orthodontic treatment plan. They also come in different colours that you can choose from, to enhance your smile and appearance. These elastics can only be placed or removed in the orthodontic office during the adjustment period of your braces.

The other type of elastic used is called the interarch rubber bands. These rubber bands help in fixing bite and jaw alignment problems. These bands can be placed in different configurations to match the force requirements you need in your treatment. They are often attached to the brackets with hooks and often connect from the top-to-bottom and/or between multiple brackets to adjust the position of the teeth and the jaw. The interarch rubber bands also come in different colours.
Not everyone needs interarch elastics and it will always depend on your orthodontist’s recommendation if you need them. If you have any questions about elastics with braces, please feel free to contact us at York Mills Orthodontics in North York.

-The York Mills Orthodontics Team