What Is the Role of Rubber Bands in Braces Treatment?

Braces sometimes come with additional accessories to help address specific orthodontic needs. Think of it like adding an accessory to something to enhance its functionality. One of those additions is rubber bands, which play an important role in more advanced orthodontic treatments, like aligning your bite. Dr. DiMarzio, Dr. Marczak, and the team at DiMarzio Orthodontics will walk you through how rubber bands assist in your braces treatment and the important function they serve.

Varieties of Rubber Bands

In orthodontics, there are several different sizes and types of rubber bands, known as classes. Dr. DiMarzio and Dr. Marczak decide which ones are appropriate for your teeth based on what they’re trying to fix:

  • Class I: These rubber bands effectively close gaps between teeth.
  • Class II: This class handles overbites by attaching the upper front teeth to the lower back teeth.
  • Class III: This class helps with underbites by attaching the lower front teeth to the upper back teeth.
  • Other Configurations: Triangle, box, or straight-line configurations are all common, depending on the particular orthodontic issue. It’s up to you, the patient, to apply them properly according to our instructions.

Do I Need Rubber Bands?

At DiMarzio Orthodontics, we start by deciding whether or not rubber bands are a necessary component of your orthodontic treatment. These are a few considerations that might mean they’re a good idea for you:

  • Your treatment plan involves complex adjustments to your bite or jaw.
  • Your braces cannot address your alignment or bite issues on their own.
  • You aren’t undergoing clear aligner treatments like Invisalign, where rubber bands are generally less common and are primarily used with traditional braces.
What Is the Role of Rubber Bands in Braces Treatment?

How Do Rubber Bands Work?

Orthodontic rubber bands actually work beyond simple alignment and can impact the flow of your treatment as a whole. 

  • Enhancing Tooth Movement: While braces move teeth in many directions at once, rubber bands can be added to make this movement more precise. For example, we can use them to adjust the vertical position of teeth or pull them closer together.
  • Correcting Bite Issues: Rubber bands are an ideal solution for overbites, underbites, and crossbites by repositioning the upper and lower jaws. They attach to certain spots on your braces and apply targeted pressure to change your bite.
  • Improving Jaw Alignment: Rubber bands adjust the upper and lower jaws to ensure they fit together in a way that fits the patient’s facial structure. This alignment is key to a balanced bite, which can make treatment more comfortable.
  • Stabilizing Treatment Progress: Rubber bands also maintain our excellent treatment results as time passes. 
  • Speeding Up Treatment: Since they apply constant extra pressure, rubber bands can help to speed up the entirety of your treatment. 

Rubber Bands FAQs

Q: Can I reuse rubber bands?
A: Rubber bands promptly lose their elasticity, so they’re made for single-use only. Reusing rubber bands will impact the effectiveness of your treatment.

Q: Can I double up on rubber bands to speed up the process?
A: This isn’t the shortcut it might appear to be at first. Exerting too much pressure on your teeth, or doing so in the wrong way, can disrupt your treatment quite a bit. This is why it’s so important to adhere to your regimen carefully.

Q: Can I use any rubber bands I find if I lose my rubber bands?
A: No, other rubber bands aren’t the same as orthodontic rubber bands. Ours are created with the proper amount of strength to address your orthodontic issues. Miscellaneous types of rubber bands, such as ones you’d use to style hair, won’t do the trick. They might actually have an adverse effect on your braces.

Q: Can I play sports or exercise with my rubber bands on?
A: If you play contact sports like football or hockey, it’s definitely smart to remove your rubber bands while using a mouthguard. Otherwise, they shouldn’t be a hurdle for physical activity for the most part. 

Q: How will I know when to stop wearing my rubber bands?
A:
We do occasionally encounter patients trying to make this decision at their own discretion, which isn’t the best idea. Orthodontic processes are far more complex than they appear at times. For this reason, count on DiMarzio Orthodontics to guide you on how and when to stop using your rubber bands. It may just be for a certain stage of treatment. 

What Is the Role of Rubber Bands in Braces Treatment?

Putting the Pieces Together

So as you’ve read, rubber bands can play an important role in your orthodontic treatment, helping to reach the best possible outcome for your smile. They may seem like a small addition, but their impact can be significant when used correctly. The most important thing is to follow our team’s instructions for wearing your rubber bands, as consistency will lead to better results. 

If you have questions or you’re ready to start your orthodontic treatment, give us a call to schedule your free consultation today. Our team in Quincy is excited to meet you and help you get your dream smile!