Orland Park, IL – At Orland Park Orthodontics, Dr. Ayas Makki and her team meticulously plan your orthodontic treatment to address your unique needs and achieve the best results. Part of this plan might involve wearing rubber bands, also known as elastics, to help perfect your smile. It’s crucial to follow Dr. Makki’s instructions regarding elastics to ensure your treatment progresses as planned.

“Getting accustomed to wearing elastics can be challenging,” says Dr. Makki. “These small rubber bands need to be hooked onto specific spots on your brackets, and initially, it might be tricky to get them in the right place. However, with consistent use, you’ll quickly adapt and keep your treatment on track.”

Elastics come in various sizes, strengths, and configurations, tailored to your specific treatment needs. While one person’s elastics might stretch from one upper tooth to a lower tooth diagonally, yours might be arranged in a triangular pattern from one upper tooth to two lower teeth.

If you don’t wear your elastics as directed, your treatment may not yield the desired results. Elastics provide additional force to move teeth in ways that braces alone cannot achieve, such as adjusting jaw alignment, correcting tooth lean, or addressing spacing issues.

Here’s what happens if you skip wearing your elastics:

• Inconsistent Results: Without consistent wear, the progress achieved with your braces may be reversed, affecting the overall outcome of your treatment.
• Extended Treatment Time: Missing days of elastic wear can lengthen your treatment time as the pressure needed to move your teeth may not be applied correctly.
• Discomfort: You might experience discomfort if you reintroduce elastics after not wearing them for a while, as your mouth will need to readjust to the pressure.

“Initially, you might feel some discomfort or mild soreness when you start wearing elastics,” adds Dr. Makki. “This is normal and should subside after a few days of consistent wear. Avoid removing them frequently, as this can prevent your mouth from adapting to the force and prolong the adjustment period.”

To manage your elastics effectively, follow these tips:

• Always Carry Extras: Elastics lose their effectiveness over time, so keep a supply handy and replace them as needed throughout the day.
• Avoid Doubling Up: Using more than one elastic at a time won’t speed up treatment and may cause unnecessary discomfort.
• Maintain Clean Hands: Ensure your hands are clean when handling elastics to avoid introducing bacteria.
• Request Refills: If you run out of elastics before your next appointment, contact our office for a refill to avoid gaps in wear.
• Get Back on Track: If you forget to wear your elastics for a day, resume wearing them as directed and contact us if you have concerns.

By adhering to Dr. Makki’s instructions and wearing your elastics as prescribed, you help ensure that your treatment stays on course and that you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. For any questions or if you need additional support with your elastics, don’t hesitate to reach out to Orland Park Orthodontics.