Why Elastics Are Essential in Your Orthodontic Journey

If you're currently in braces or clear aligners, you’ve probably heard your orthodontist talk about “elastics” or “rubber bands.” These tiny rubber bands might seem small, but they play a huge role in helping you achieve a healthy, functional bite. At Life Orthodontics, our Tustin orthodontists, Dr. Robert Lee and Dr. Sarah Pi, want to make sure you understand why elastics matter and how to wear them correctly—so your smile finishes strong and right on schedule!

What Are Elastics?

Elastics are small rubber bands that connect to and coordinate your upper and lower teeth. Whether you’re wearing braces or clear aligners, elastics help guide how your upper and lower teeth fit together—your bite. Braces or aligners can straighten and level each arch on their own, but elastics are the only thing that relates the upper and lower teeth to each other. That’s why they’re crucial to the overall success of your treatment.

What Do Elastics Fix?

Depending on how your bite needs to improve, elastics can be worn in different patterns to correct issues in three dimensions:

• Vertical: Elastics can help close open bites (where front teeth don’t touch) or correct deep bites (where top teeth cover the bottom teeth too much).
• Anteroposterior (AP): Elastics can fix overjets (when top teeth stick out) or underbites (when bottom teeth are ahead of the top teeth).
• Transverse: Elastics can also correct posterior crossbites, where upper back teeth sit inside the lower teeth instead of outside or vice versa.

For Life Orthodontics patients, your Tustin orthodontists, Dr. Robert Lee and Dr. Sarah Pi, will customize your elastic wear to target the specific bite issues you have.

How to Wear Your Elastics

Here are the same tips and instructions we give to every patient at Life Orthodontics:

Follow the Schedule

• Wear full-time (unless told otherwise), meaning all day and night.
• Only remove them to eat, brush, and floss.
• If instructed to wear at night only, be sure to wear them every night.

Keep Them Fresh:

• Always replace your elastics with new ones after meals or if they break.
• If you run out, call us—we’ll happily get you more.

Expect Some Discomfort (at First):

• It’s normal to feel some soreness when you start.
• This usually fades in 2–5 days.
• If needed, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol), following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Why Consistency Is Key

We can’t stress this enough: wearing your elastics as instructed is critical to finishing your treatment on time. Inconsistent wear means your bite isn’t being guided consistently, which can slow or reverse your progress—resulting in a longer overall treatment time.

Think of it like this: if you wear them only some of the time, your teeth move forward during the day but bounce back at night (or vice versa). That kind of back-and-forth motion doesn’t help your bite settle properly.

Questions? We’re Here to Help.

If you're unsure about how to wear your elastics or if something doesn't feel right, reach out to us! At Life Orthodontics, we’re committed to guiding you every step of the way toward your best smile.

Remember—those tiny rubber bands pack a big punch when it comes to finishing your smile transformation. Wear them well, and you’ll be showing off that beautiful smile with an ideal bite before you know it!

Serving patients in Tustin, Irvine, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Orange, Anaheim, and beyond, we take pride in delivering exceptional care and an unparalleled orthodontic experience. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about orthodontic treatment at Life Orthodontics! 

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