Your New Elastics

Wearing Your New Elastics
Elastics are small rubber bands used to align the teeth in the top jaw with those in the bottom jaw, often eliminating the need for extractions or headgear.

Will Wearing Elastics Hurt?
There may be minor soreness initially from the elastics’ pressure. The more you where them, the less the discomfort. Some discomfort can be relieved by taking Advil or Tylenol according to the directions on the bottle.

What Should I Do If I Lose My Elastics or Run Out of Them?
You may either stop by our office, and we will give you a new package, or you can call our office at 480-963-2535 (Chandler office), 480-558-4312 (Gilbert office), 623-376-6346 (Arrowhead office) or by e-mail at info@dickersonortho.com and we will mail them to you.

What If I Forget to Wear My Elastics?
Wearing elastics is like rolling a ball uphill. When the force is removed, the ball will roll back down the hill. Your teeth are positioned in the jaw by tiny elastic fibers. As your teeth move in the direction of the rubber bands, it stretches the fibers holding the teeth in their places. If the rubber band wear is stopped before the new bone has been generated to hold the teeth in their new positions, the teeth will move back to where they were, and we will have to start over. If you happen to forget to insert your elastics one day, do not double up the next day. Tooth movement is faster with light and constant force.

What Should I Do If I Bend or Break an Elastic Hook?
Call our office at 480-963-2535 (Chandler office), 480-558-4312 (Gilbert office), 623-376-6346 (Arrowhead office) immediately to schedule a repair appointment.

How Often Should I Change My Elastics?
Change your elastics every 12 hours so that they will not lose their pull. Remove the elastics only when you brush your teeth and reinsert them when you are finished. As elastics get older, they lose their stretch and do not function properly. It’s very important to change them routinely even if they are not broken.

How Fast Will My Teeth Move?
Teeth move approximately 1 mm. per month with good elastic wear.

What If I Don’t Want to Wear Elastics?
There are several options other than wearing elastics. Wearing headgear, permanent metal coils, extractions, and jaw surgery are alternatives.

Where Do I Wear My Elastics?
Watch and listen carefully to the instructions and demonstrations given by our staff or one the assistants. If you have any questions about proper insertion of your elastics, please call the office at 480-963-2535 (Chandler office), 480-558-4312 (Gilbert office), 623-376-6346 (Arrowhead office) or by e-mail at info@dickersonortho.com.