Help with changing elastics

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Dawna
Posts: 113
Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2006 12:27 am
Location: Expat Canadian living in Germany

Help with changing elastics

#1 Post by Dawna »

Sorry if this has been answered, I did a search and didn't find anything.

As I'd mentioned in my 'hello' post, I switched from Invisalign to Sapphire braces yesterday to close my bite and derotate this one tooth that didn't quite participate in the Invisalign process :roll:

Anyway, I have to wear 2 elastics, one on each side. One is in a triangular formation,and one is just from one tooth to the other. I am having SUCH a hard time getting those little buggers on! :twisted: I have that little plastic appliance, but it can't seem to get close enough to the pass the elastics over the hooks. Is it a bad idea to bend the hooks out to place the elastics, then bend them back? They are basically almost totally flush with my gums, so I'm not sure how else to do it.

I'm sure it's just like Invisalign, in no time I was popping the trays in and out like nothing, but right now I would really appreciate any tips to get me doing this for these little pests!
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Ruby Tuesday
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:07 am

#2 Post by Ruby Tuesday »

Hi Dawna,
I'm not sure what you have to hook the elastic onto, but I have metal loops and often have to bend them away from my gums to get the elastic over them. Then I usually press them back against my gum with my finger. Have been doing this for a long while and nothing has broken!
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lionfish
Posts: 2635
Joined: Wed May 18, 2005 4:16 pm
Location: emerald city, oz

#3 Post by lionfish »

The first time I was instructed to use elastics, I thought I would NEVER be able to do it! The office staff wouldn't let me out the door until I'd cracked it so amidst much swearing I went at it until I finally hooked those little blighters into place. What an ordeal that was.

I found the plastic tool invaluable and used it for months. Having been in elastics for 14 months now, I've pretty much got the hang of it and find I don't need the tool anymore.

As to bending the hooks, I'd go carefully here. I had some metal hooks fashioned by my ortho which were attached to the back of my canines (I have lingual uppers) and which were one point of contact for triangle elastics. Due to the problems of not being able to see what was going on back there, I unwittingly bent these hooks twice and the load from the elastics eventually broke them.

My advice is to keep at it with the tool. Like everything, it will come with practice.
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Higgy
Posts: 211
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 9:55 am
Location: Austin, Texas

#4 Post by Higgy »

It does get better with time......I say that and I've worn them for about 3 weeks now....and it's easier to get them in now, though I still use the tool. The issue that I've had is that the furthest back bracket of mine does not have the hook...so getting it on there is sometimes a challenge.
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Supermax
Posts: 31
Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:39 am
Location: Johannesburg South Africa

#5 Post by Supermax »

Hello

the only way i can reach my back molars and do my elastics in a sort of bow configuration is by using a tweezer. I got a really useful one from a stamp shop (of all places) that has a bend sharp pointed end which makes it easier to twist the elastic.
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