treasyy
Chad by 2026 or death
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- Aug 25, 2023
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Preface:
I’ve been seeing alot of misconceptions and had a lot of questions about braces and elastics. Specifically, people are asking about their functions, benefits, and potential downsides. I’m hoping this guide will answer as many of your questions as possible.
Disclaimer:
This thread is going to be quite detailed (Don't DNR tho). I’ll start by explaining the mechanisms and functions of braces and elastics.
Introduction:
In this thread, I’ll do my best to explain how braces and elastics work together to correct dental issues. I’ll start with the basics of each component and then get into how they affect your dental alignment and overall oral health.
Braces:
Braces are orthodontic devices used to straighten teeth and correct bite issues. They consist of several components, including brackets, archwires, and sometimes bands, that work together to apply continuous pressure to move teeth into their desired positions. The main goal of braces is to improve dental alignment and function.
Braces work by applying steady pressure over time to slowly move teeth into their correct positions. The brackets are bonded to the teeth and connected by an archwire, which is periodically adjusted by the orthodontist to ensure the teeth are moving as planned. This process can take anywhere from several months to a few years, depending on the complexity of the case.
The brackets are typically made of metal or ceramic and are bonded to the front of each tooth. The archwire is threaded through the brackets and is held in place by small elastic bands or metal ties. As the archwire is adjusted, it exerts pressure on the teeth, gradually moving them into the desired position. This process is known as bone remodeling, where the bone surrounding the teeth is broken down and rebuilt to accommodate the new position of the teeth.
Braces work by applying steady, gentle pressure over time to slowly move teeth into their correct positions. This process involves several stages. During the initial alignment stage, the focus is on aligning the teeth and correcting any crowding or spacing issues. The archwires are relatively flexible at this stage to allow for gentle movement. Once the teeth are aligned, the next stage involves closing any gaps between the teeth. The final stage of treatment focuses on correcting the bite and ensuring that the upper and lower teeth fit together properly. This may involve the use of elastics or other appliances to adjust the position of the jaws (I will talk about elastics later).
The movement of teeth with braces is made possible through a process called bone remodeling. When pressure is applied to a tooth, the bone on one side of the tooth is broken down (resorption) while new bone is formed (deposition) on the other side. This allows the tooth to move through the bone and into its new position. The process of bone remodeling is gradual and requires consistent pressure over time to achieve the desired results.
Proper maintenance and care of braces are essential for successful treatment. Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque buildup, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene practices throughout treatment. In some cases, the roots of the teeth may shorten during treatment. This is a rare but possible risk that can affect the stability of the teeth. Braces can sometimes cause the gums to recede, exposing more of the tooth and increasing the risk of sensitivity and decay.
Elastics:
Elastics, aka rubber bands, are often used in conjunction with braces to correct bite issues such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and deep bites. They provide the necessary force to move teeth and jaws into proper alignment, which braces alone cannot achieve.
Elastics are attached to small hooks on the brackets and are stretched between the upper and lower teeth. This creates a force that helps to move the teeth and jaws into the correct position. For example, in the case of a deep bite, elastics can be used to apply vertical force to move the upper teeth upwards and the lower teeth downwards, thereby correcting the bite.
Elastics come in different sizes and strengths, depending on the specific needs of the patient. They are usually worn for 24 hours a day, except when eating or brushing teeth.
Benefits of Elastics:
Elastics are a crucial part of orthodontic treatment because they help to correct bite issues that braces alone cannot fix. They are versatile and can be used to address a variety of bite problems(as listed above). Additionally, elastics are relatively easy to use and can be removed and replaced by the patient as needed.
Elastics work by applying continuous force to the teeth and jaws, which stimulates bone remodeling. This process involves the breakdown of bone tissue in the areas where pressure is applied and the formation of new bone tissue in the areas where the teeth are moving. This allows the teeth and jaws to gradually shift into the correct position.
Potential Downsides and Risks:
One major risk of using elastics incorrectly is maxilla recession. This can happen if the elastics aren’t applied properly or if the orthodontist doesn’t monitor the treatment closely. Maxilla recession can lead to a sunken facial appearance and other dental issues.
Maxilla recession occurs when the upper jawbone (maxilla) moves backward, causing the upper teeth to appear sunken and the face to have a concave appearance. This can happen if the elastics are too strong or if they are worn for too long without proper supervision.
Incorrect usage of elastics can also lead to prolonged treatment times and less effective results. If elastics are not worn properly, the teeth and jaws may not move as planned, leading to delays in treatment and potentially less optimal results.
In some cases, the roots of the teeth may shorten during treatment, a condition known as root resorption. This is a rare but possible risk. Root resorption occurs when the body breaks down and absorbs the root structure of the teeth, which can lead to tooth instability and loss. Regular monitoring by the orthodontist can help to identify and address this issue early on.
Poor oral hygiene while wearing braces and elastics can lead to gum inflammation and other dental problems. It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing regularly, to prevent these issues. Gum inflammation can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis, which can cause gum recession and tooth loss if left untreated.
The Importance of Having a Good Orthodontist:
Having a skilled orthodontist is crucial for successful treatment. A good orthodontist will provide proper guidance on how to wear elastics correctly and consistently, monitor your progress regularly, and adjust your treatment plan as needed. They will also identify and address potential issues early on, such as maxilla recession or root resorption, to prevent long-term problems. If you dont get a good orthodontist your fucked so be careful.
Extras:
If anyone of you has anymore questions you can write me a PM.
Studys and Sources:
I’ve been seeing alot of misconceptions and had a lot of questions about braces and elastics. Specifically, people are asking about their functions, benefits, and potential downsides. I’m hoping this guide will answer as many of your questions as possible.
Disclaimer:
This thread is going to be quite detailed (Don't DNR tho). I’ll start by explaining the mechanisms and functions of braces and elastics.
Introduction:
In this thread, I’ll do my best to explain how braces and elastics work together to correct dental issues. I’ll start with the basics of each component and then get into how they affect your dental alignment and overall oral health.
Braces:
Braces are orthodontic devices used to straighten teeth and correct bite issues. They consist of several components, including brackets, archwires, and sometimes bands, that work together to apply continuous pressure to move teeth into their desired positions. The main goal of braces is to improve dental alignment and function.
Braces work by applying steady pressure over time to slowly move teeth into their correct positions. The brackets are bonded to the teeth and connected by an archwire, which is periodically adjusted by the orthodontist to ensure the teeth are moving as planned. This process can take anywhere from several months to a few years, depending on the complexity of the case.
The brackets are typically made of metal or ceramic and are bonded to the front of each tooth. The archwire is threaded through the brackets and is held in place by small elastic bands or metal ties. As the archwire is adjusted, it exerts pressure on the teeth, gradually moving them into the desired position. This process is known as bone remodeling, where the bone surrounding the teeth is broken down and rebuilt to accommodate the new position of the teeth.
Braces work by applying steady, gentle pressure over time to slowly move teeth into their correct positions. This process involves several stages. During the initial alignment stage, the focus is on aligning the teeth and correcting any crowding or spacing issues. The archwires are relatively flexible at this stage to allow for gentle movement. Once the teeth are aligned, the next stage involves closing any gaps between the teeth. The final stage of treatment focuses on correcting the bite and ensuring that the upper and lower teeth fit together properly. This may involve the use of elastics or other appliances to adjust the position of the jaws (I will talk about elastics later).
The movement of teeth with braces is made possible through a process called bone remodeling. When pressure is applied to a tooth, the bone on one side of the tooth is broken down (resorption) while new bone is formed (deposition) on the other side. This allows the tooth to move through the bone and into its new position. The process of bone remodeling is gradual and requires consistent pressure over time to achieve the desired results.
Proper maintenance and care of braces are essential for successful treatment. Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque buildup, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene practices throughout treatment. In some cases, the roots of the teeth may shorten during treatment. This is a rare but possible risk that can affect the stability of the teeth. Braces can sometimes cause the gums to recede, exposing more of the tooth and increasing the risk of sensitivity and decay.
Elastics:
Elastics, aka rubber bands, are often used in conjunction with braces to correct bite issues such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and deep bites. They provide the necessary force to move teeth and jaws into proper alignment, which braces alone cannot achieve.
Elastics are attached to small hooks on the brackets and are stretched between the upper and lower teeth. This creates a force that helps to move the teeth and jaws into the correct position. For example, in the case of a deep bite, elastics can be used to apply vertical force to move the upper teeth upwards and the lower teeth downwards, thereby correcting the bite.
Elastics come in different sizes and strengths, depending on the specific needs of the patient. They are usually worn for 24 hours a day, except when eating or brushing teeth.
Benefits of Elastics:
Elastics are a crucial part of orthodontic treatment because they help to correct bite issues that braces alone cannot fix. They are versatile and can be used to address a variety of bite problems(as listed above). Additionally, elastics are relatively easy to use and can be removed and replaced by the patient as needed.
Elastics work by applying continuous force to the teeth and jaws, which stimulates bone remodeling. This process involves the breakdown of bone tissue in the areas where pressure is applied and the formation of new bone tissue in the areas where the teeth are moving. This allows the teeth and jaws to gradually shift into the correct position.
Potential Downsides and Risks:
One major risk of using elastics incorrectly is maxilla recession. This can happen if the elastics aren’t applied properly or if the orthodontist doesn’t monitor the treatment closely. Maxilla recession can lead to a sunken facial appearance and other dental issues.
Maxilla recession occurs when the upper jawbone (maxilla) moves backward, causing the upper teeth to appear sunken and the face to have a concave appearance. This can happen if the elastics are too strong or if they are worn for too long without proper supervision.
Incorrect usage of elastics can also lead to prolonged treatment times and less effective results. If elastics are not worn properly, the teeth and jaws may not move as planned, leading to delays in treatment and potentially less optimal results.
In some cases, the roots of the teeth may shorten during treatment, a condition known as root resorption. This is a rare but possible risk. Root resorption occurs when the body breaks down and absorbs the root structure of the teeth, which can lead to tooth instability and loss. Regular monitoring by the orthodontist can help to identify and address this issue early on.
Poor oral hygiene while wearing braces and elastics can lead to gum inflammation and other dental problems. It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing regularly, to prevent these issues. Gum inflammation can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis, which can cause gum recession and tooth loss if left untreated.
The Importance of Having a Good Orthodontist:
Having a skilled orthodontist is crucial for successful treatment. A good orthodontist will provide proper guidance on how to wear elastics correctly and consistently, monitor your progress regularly, and adjust your treatment plan as needed. They will also identify and address potential issues early on, such as maxilla recession or root resorption, to prevent long-term problems. If you dont get a good orthodontist your fucked so be careful.
Extras:
If anyone of you has anymore questions you can write me a PM.
Studys and Sources:
- https://www.jorgensenorthodontics.c...ic-elastics-rubber-bands-and-how-do-they-work
- https://www.interdent.com/capitoldentalcare/resources/what-are-orthodontic-elastics-rubber-bands
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/dental-medicine/articles/10.3389/fdmed.2021.748985/full
- https://loudounorthodontics.com/gum-recession-from-braces-is-it-possible/
- https://www.cookorthodublin.com/blog/correcting-bite-with-elastics
- https://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12903-024-03998-0
- https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/...-on-gingival-recession-a-best-evidence-review
- https://sharedentalcare.com/receding-gums-braces/
- https://www.researchgate.net/public...val_recession_-_a_10-year_retrospective_study
- https://progressinorthodontics.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40510-021-00375-3
- https://academic.oup.com/ejo/article/44/2/210/6381541?login=false
- https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/...-on-gingival-recession-a-best-evidence-review
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