Advise needed. How to insert elastics?

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#1 Post by **natafele** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:29 am

Dear all,

today I've returned from my 2-nd adjustment, the doctor said all goes well, so I'm happy. Since my upper jaw does not touch the lower one, they put elastics into my mouth which pull upper jaw downwards. They used a special tool for this, but they didn't provide me with such a tool. I know for sure that such tools exist to help patients to put elastics easily, but I don't know where to buy one. Do you have a link to a web-site where I can buy such a tool? And what is the official name for it? I failed with Google, since I don't know what keyword I should use.

Many thanks!

#2 Post by **Marzipan** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:58 am

They put a couple of little plastic things in my bag of elastics. Just ask them next time. It DOES help! I have no idea where else to get those things.

#3 Post by **Attagirl2** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:01 am

Hi Natafele. When I had elastics, they weren't too complecated and they just had me use my fingers. The trick is to find out which tooth to hook it on first and then follow through with the rest of the configuration. You will have to do a little trial and error to determine this, though.

Good luck.

#4 Post by **Jillianleab** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:55 pm

My bags come with a little plastic tool, but I've never used it. There were two assistants near me when I got the elastics, and I asked about using a tool to put them on and they both said " NO!!! Use your fingers, it will be soooo much easier!" I don't have a fussy config, so I can get by with my fingers and sometimes don't even need a mirror.

But ask your ortho about the little plastic tool, it's just a little hook, very simple.

Good luck!

#5 Post by **Chris** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:50 pm

Wow, Meryaten....be careful with that instrument!!

We don't want you to hurt yourself!

Those plastic "thingys" are great for the heavier elastics so they stretch but for the lighter ones I just use my fingers.

The key is start at the bottom and work to the top.

#6 Post by **antsika** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 4:11 pm

I am also a beginner with elastics and got the little plastic tool with my bag of elastics from my ortho. I am sure they should provide it but forgot it by mistake. I didn't try to use my hand as the elastics are small when not pulled and my fingers are a bit long but I will try tomorrow!

#7 Post by **lionfish** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:44 pm

Still using the plastic tool 3 months on. It's like a security blanket. When desperate, fingers will do the job.

#8 Post by **Clo** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:23 am

Hi,

as I do not know your elastic configuration, I do not know if it is well possible
to just use your fingers. I do know if you have elastics from, say, point A to
point B, it can be much easier to start at point A or point B first. Or said in other
words, try to experiment first a bit to see how it works (best). When I had elastics,
brand name GAC, each bag contained a little plastic hook that was very helpful.
So maybe you can ask for these elastics.

#9 Post by **JumpTheDitch** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:42 am

I'm weighing in on the fingers side. My ortho used a plastic hook to place them but my elastics didn't come with tools.

My config is fairly basic, upper #7's to lower #3's.

By trial and error, I found it much easier to do the upper (and further back) bit first. Again by trial and error I discovered removing them in the same order is easiest (especially when your'e out in public going out for brekky/lunch/dinner and forget to remove them in private beforehand!).

#10 Post by **nvcarissa** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:21 am

I have acrylic nails and they definitely get in the way if I put my elasics on by hand, but I CAN do it, if I need to. I have a hemostat like Meryaten's (got it from my ortho way back when they taught me how to change my stained ligs) that I use at night to place my elastic. I also have one of those little plastic thingies in my DemtaKit.

Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:39 pm

There is no way I could put on my 'W" elastic configuration without the plastic thingy. I have tried. That elastic is stretched so tight by the time I get it over the 5th hook I can't even open my mouth enough to put in a straw.

The ortho always throws one of the plastic thingy's in the bag of elastics. I have about 6 now.

#12 Post by **Eleni** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 8:28 pm

I didn't even know there was an elastic tool! I've always used a pair of tweezers and they go on is seconds.

#13 Post by **natafele** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:44 am

Thanks a lot to all of you for the advises. In fact, I did ask my ortho, they just don't provide any tool for placing the elastics. However, from the third attempt I managed to insert them. Just feeling a bit concious, they add so much force in my mouth, won't they damage the hooks on braces?
I've heard that it is essential to brush the teeth after each meal, and I do so. I ve been wearing my braces only for 3 months, and I found 3 dark spots on my teeth, which according to my dentist will develop to holes.

I'm trying to straiten up my teeth while they dissappoint me with their looks. What are your experiences with keeping your teeth healthy and avoiding cavities?

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Advise needed. How to insert elastics?

Advise needed. How to insert elastics?

What is your expereience with keeping your teeth healthy?