Definition
Braces rubbers or elastics are rubber bands made of latex that move teeth by tightening the fixed braces. By tightening the elastics on the wings of the brackets from upper jaw to lower jaw or within one jaw, forces are generated to move groups of teeth against each other. The elastics are available in different thicknesses – depending on how fast or by how much the teeth are to be moved.
The success of the therapy depends crucially on the cooperation of the patient. In general, a distinction must be made between so-called Alastics and Elastics. Both are braces rubbers, which could lead to confusion.
Therefore, here is a short overview of the two types of braces: This article deals mainly with the elastics. They are used to move teeth or to fix the position of the lower jaw, for example. If the mouth is opened, they tighten and become clearly visible.
The patient can insert and remove these elastics on his own and they are not colorful but slightly beige. Alastics, however, are used to fix the wire in the brackets and are not necessary for every type of braces, as they differ in their design and the function of the Alastics can also be replaced by other mechanisms. Alastics are available in different colors and are placed directly around the brackets. They are only replaced by the orthodontist.
Indication for braces gums
Braces rubbers are used in orthodontics to move teeth or groups of teeth of one or both jaws against or away from each other. The displacement in one jaw, called intramaxillary or intramandibular, is different from the displacement of both jaws, called intermaxillary. In almost every orthodontic treatment, braces are necessary to move the teeth into their correct position or to tilt them into a certain axis.
Indications for Elastics can be a head bite, in which the displacement creates a front tooth step. Another indication for treatment with braces elastics is a cross bite either in the posterior or anterior region to move the teeth towards each other piece by piece. This might also be of interest to you: Misalignment of the jawTo attach the elastics directly to the teeth, there are small hooks or devices on which the gums have a good grip, and possibly so-called placers, which serve as hanging aids and should simplify the tightening.
The orthodontist shows the patient how to attach the elastics. The orthodontist shows the patient how to attach the gums, paying particular attention to which tooth to which tooth the gum should be attached. In order not to forget this, the desired position can be drawn or a photo can be taken.
So the orthodontist stretches the first rubber brace, explains the procedure and helps the user to stretch it. He quickly develops a routine with the placers and gets used to inserting the gums, as he has to change the gum rings every day. It is also possible to do without the placers and, with a little skill, simply insert the rubbers with the fingertips.
However, this requires a little practice. Furthermore, the elastics are also loosened for food intake and for dental care and cleaning and then inserted again. After a certain period of use, the strength of the elastics may well change, but the patient quickly gets used to the new situation.
Brace elastics should be worn all day long in order to achieve an optimal therapy success. The elastics are only unhooked for feeding and cleaning the fixed appliance. The change of the braces rubber is done in a daily rhythm (unless otherwise arranged by the orthodontist), because already after one day of wearing, the rubber already gives way and does not have the appropriate elasticity and strength to remain in use.
Ideally, the elastics are worn day and night and changed in the morning. As a rule, an orthodontist will provide you with enough braces, which you should also use diligently. It is important to make sure that you always have enough rubber bands until the next check-up so that you don’t have to go to the orthodontist again.
In contrast to the Alastics, which are available in all conceivable colors, Elastics, which are stretched between the teeth, have a light beige rubber-like color. Braces rubbers or elastics are available in different thicknesses, depending on the area of application for which they are used and how quickly they are supposed to cause a shift.The strengths are marked with motif images to make differentiation easier and more playful for the young users. The different strengths of the Elastics are marked by fruits, animals (for example hare, elk, impala…) or sports.
All articles in this series:
