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Everything You Need To Know About Braces Elastics

What are elastics for braces used for? Will I need elastics on my braces? How long should I wear elastics for braces? How often should I change my elastics?

What are elastics for braces used for? Will I need elastics on my braces? How long should I wear elastics for braces? How often should I change my elastics?

These are just some of the many questions we often get from our perspective or current braces patients. If you’re an existing patient or are about to embark on your braces journey, you may be wondering some of these same questions! Check out some of the most common questions our doctors get and our answers below! 

What are Orthodontic Elastics?

Orthodontic elastics, also commonly known as “rubber bands”, are just that; small rubber bands that orthodontists use to help your braces move your teeth and bite into the ideal placement.

Orthodontic elastics are typically made from a strong and stretchy medical-grade latex material of varying sizes and elasticity for particular needs. 

Why do Orthodontists use Elastics?

The reason is simple. To help correct teeth alignment, your braces work by placing pressure slowly and gently on your teeth and jaw to move them gradually into place.

The point of elastics is to help provide an additional connective force to shift your teeth in specific directions.

If you look at braces closely, you will notice hooks on the brackets where these elastics are attached to move the teeth into a specific alignment. 

Your orthodontist will create a pattern for you to follow depending on the movement they are trying to achieve! 

How Frequently Should I Change My Elastics?

This varies across from one case to the next – but if you are asked to wear them “full time” you will need to replace them 3-4 times in a 24-hour period.

Why? Because elastic bands lose their elasticity over time as they get stretched out and can no longer apply the appropriate force to shift your teeth. 

If you don’t change your elastics and continue using the loose bands, while it may feel more comfortable, it could hinder the progress of your treatment.

Do you Sleep with Elastics for Braces?

Yes! Elastics should be worn all day, every day during the prescribed correction period, with the only exceptions being:

  • Brushing of teeth
  • Eating 
  • Replacing them with new bands

The reason is simple, the longer you keep the elastics on, the more time they have to ensure sufficient pressure on your teeth to move them into the desired alignment. This will help ensure your malocclusion (overbite, underbite, open bite, etc.) is corrected.

The less you wear them, the less effect there is, and the longer the treatment might take.

Can you wear Elastics with Invisalign?

At Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics, our doctors are experts in clear aligners and are able to correct any bite with either braces or Invisalign. For certain bites this necessitates using elastics while wearing your Invisalign clear aligners.

Want to Learn More?

Are you wondering if you will need elastics for your braces or Invisalign treatment or have any other questions about elastics for braces?

Schedule your complimentary consultation online with us at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics and we will help advise what would be the safest and most effective solution for you.

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Featured, Orthodontics

Underbite Correction Treatments: How to Fix an Underbite?

While social media and celebrities tend to portray picture-perfect smiles, the reality is that not many people are born naturally with such perfectly aligned teeth. 

While social media and celebrities tend to portray picture-perfect smiles, the reality is that not many people are born naturally with such perfectly aligned teeth. 

Many people are born with varying degrees of malocclusions – misaligned teeth.

The good news? With advanced medical technology, malocclusions can be easily corrected with the right orthodontic treatments!

In a previous article, we addressed the most common malocclusion – overbite – and how it can be treated with Invisalign or braces. In this blog, we will be focusing on another common dental condition – underbite.

What Is an Underbite?

As the name suggests, an underbite indicates a misalignment where the lower set of teeth protrudes more than the upper set of teeth.

In contrast, the ideal smile is one where both sets of teeth are aligned – with the top row slightly overlapping. 

Both underbites and overbites have significant gaps between the upper and lower teeth, resulting in poorer aesthetics and possible health complications.

Reasons That Cause an Underbite?

Much like the overbite, underbites could be caused by varying reasons, ranging from genes to poor dental habits as a child and adult, such as: 

  • Genetics determine the overall shape of your jaw and size of teeth – while there is nothing you can do to prevent this, it can be easily corrected in your later stage in life.
  • Prolonged thumb sucking or usage of pacifiers could cause the jaw to develop in a different direction.
  • Facial injuries that could affect jaw development 

Does An Underbite Cause Health Complications?

While mild underbites are rarely noticeable, severe cases tend to result in poor esthetics and cause more severe health problems. Hence our recommendation is always to get the condition diagnosed and treated early.

Some possible health complications related to underbites include:

  • Teeth chipping and breakages – due to the allowance between the two layers of teeth
  • Speech impairment 
  • Biting and chewing difficulties
  • Jaw pain and discomfort – could develop into arthritis and chronic pain
  • And many more

How to Fix an Underbite?

Underbite treatments like many other dental issues, vary depending on the severity of the underbite and the age of the patient. So, make sure to head to Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics to review your case and develop an appropriate plan for you.

Curious about the possible treatment methods? Here are some underbite correction treatments that we use::

  • Upper jaw expanders 
  • Braces or clear aligners with orthodontic elastics – suitable for most patients 
  • Tooth extraction – for moderate to severe cases 
  • Surgery – only for adults with severe cases 

Tip: Worried whether you may have an underbite problem? Get diagnosed and seek treatment early!

Looking to Correct Your Underbite?

Whatever your underbite concerns, there are plenty of treatments that are available to you. 

Want to learn more about how we can help correct your underbite? Drop us a message at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics for a free consultation to learn more about our recommended treatments to fix underbites.

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Featured, Gainesville Favorites

Gainesville, Virginia Favorites: Must-Try Weekend Activities as Shared by The Dunegan & Cole Team!

Wondering what to do in Gainesville, Virginia for the weekend? Whether you’re passing through or spending the weekend around town, Gainesville and the surrounding areas have so much to offer. The Dunegan & Cole team compiled our top recommendations of “Must-Try Weekend Activities”. Keep reading to find out more! 

Wondering what to do in Gainesville, Virginia for the weekend? Whether you’re passing through or spending the weekend around town, Gainesville and the surrounding areas have so much to offer. The Dunegan & Cole team compiled our top recommendations of “Must-Try Weekend Activities”. Keep reading to find out more! 

Explore The Great Outdoors

If you love the idea of unwinding in the great outdoors like our resident orthodontist David Cole, check out  Conway Robinson State Forest and the Manassas National Battlefield Park.

Whether you are a beginner or experienced hiker looking to explore new trails, the Conway Robinson State Forest offers an easy, dog-friendly 3.3-mile trail loop!   

Looking for a longer distance to hike, bike, or run? A simple 5-minute drive gets you to Manassas National Battlefield Park where there are more than 40 miles of trails for you to explore, guided tours by park rangers, and a museum to learn about the history of the park. 

A Day Out at the Promenade

If you’re more into shops and restaurants, head to the Promenade for a great day of shopping and fun! It’s our clinical assistants’, Lezy Pinedas and Ashley Ugarriza, favorite way to spend the weekend. 

With more than 120 shops and restaurants to choose from, there is always something new to check out at the Promenade. 

If you’re not a fan of shopping, here are three other activities our staff love to do there:

  • Working out at Onelife Fitness (Jyllian Gerrick, Clinical Coordinator)
  • Catch a movie at Regal Cinema (Kathi Reed, Treatment Coordinator)
  • Grabbing Yobe Frozen Yogurt (Tanya Jovel, Clinical Assistant)

Family Day at The Farm Brewery

Picked by Lorrie Butler (Clinical Assistant), Madeline Snider (Clinical Assistant), and our resident doctor Michael Dunegan, The Farm Brewery is a popular choice among our staff!

This brewery offers plenty of activities to keep adults and kids entertained! Pick from one of their many locally brewed beers, lounge around in their beer garden, enjoy live music, and watch the kids explore the playgrounds and outdoor areas.

What is Your Favorite Weekend Activity in Gainesville?

Is there something great that we missed? Share it with us on your next visit. We can’t wait to add more exciting activities to the list.

Stay tuned for more staff picks!

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