Why Is My Orthodontist Recommending Elastics?

Are you looking into orthodontic treatment to correctly align your teeth and jaw, allowing you to smile with confidence?

If so, there’s a good chance that you have heard about elastics in orthodontic treatment. These medical grade rubber bands are designed to accompany traditional orthodontic appliances like braces, attaching to the brackets to help correct tooth and bite issues.

While not every patient we see at Oasis Orthodontics requires elastics during treatment, our specialist orthodontist Dr Anthony Hopkins may recommend them if he feels that they are required in order to give you the best possible treatment outcome

What are the main reasons braces elastics are used?

There are many reasons as to why your orthodontist may use elastics during your treatment. It’s important to remember that while you may not want elastics in your mouth, they are placed there for a reason, and your orthodontist believes that placing them will help you achieve the best treatment outcome possible.

At Oasis Orthodontics, some of the most common reasons why we treat patients with elastics are:

• To enhance the effectiveness of treatment: If your orthodontist has recommended elastics, it’s because they believe their use will enhance your treatment, and provide a superior end result compared to not having elastics during your treatment.
• Fix spacing and de-rotate teeth: In cases where there are spaces between your teeth, elastics can be used to gently pull the teeth towards one another. Where teeth are rotated, an elastic can be used to turn the tooth back into the correct position.
• Correct bite issues: One of the best ways to correct bite issues in patients, such as an overbite or cross bite, is to use elastics. The use of elastics will gradually help the top and bottom teeth come into a more correct alignment, significantly reducing the bite issue.

Are there different types of elastics for braces?

Yes, when Dr Hopkins is assessing your braces treatment and your orthodontic case, he may use several types of elastics in order to bring your bite into correct alignment.

The two common types of elastics that may be used are Interarch elastics or Intra-arch elastics. Interarch elastics attach to the upper and lower archwire to gradually bring your top and bottom teeth into correct alignment whereas Intra-arch elastics, which are used to close the gaps between your teeth, are fitted to two brackets on either your upper or lower teeth.

Will I have to have elastics fitted to my braces?

It is possible that you will have elastics fitted to your braces. Should you present with complex bite issues, or severe crowding, Dr Hopkins may fit elastics to your braces during treatment to improve your treatment results.

Where can I start orthodontic treatment in Perth?

Starting orthodontic treatment in Perth is easy thanks to Oasis Orthodontics. We have two modern practices in Clarkson and Kingsley, allowing patients from all across the central and northern suburbs of Perth to easily access specialist orthodontic treatment.

If you would like to find out more about starting orthodontic treatment with Dr Hopkins, please fill in an online enquiry form, or call our practice today.