Should I keep wearing elastics?

Message

#1 Post by **genxsis** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:16 am

This will sound like a strange question, but about a month ago, my ortho said I can be debraced on Nov. 15th and I no longer need to wear my elastics anymore. I quit wearing them for the first couple weeks, but then started to think that maybe my teeth would start moving back to where they were if I didn't have the elastics on. That's what teeth do once the braces do their job and you don't use a retainer! So now I've been wearing them again for fear that I'm going to arrive at my debracing appointment and the ortho will say, "it looks like your teeth have reverted backwards a bit. Start wearing your elastics again and we'll schedule for debracing in a few more months".

Is this a logical concern? BTW, my elastic config is one elastic on each side, going from the canine on top to the first molar on the bottom.

#2 Post by **Betty Bat** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:33 am

If you have any doubts or uncertainties about your treatment, call your ortho and find out! Anything that we say would be only speculation.

#3 Post by **jennielee81** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:23 pm

I did the same thing, BUT I only wore them at night to maintain the position of my teeth rather than to continue to move them.

Everything was A-Okay when I was debonded.

I wouldn't wear them 24 hrs a day as that may cause them to move beyond the point your ortho was trying to hit.

#4 Post by **KikiloSugilo** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:35 pm

If your ortho instructs you to stop wearing elastics then you should probably listen, since he/she is a trained professional. You may be adversely affecting your treatment by wearing elastics longer than prescribed.

#5 Post by **jennielee81** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 3:26 pm

As usual, Meryaten, you are the voice of reason.

You make so much sence!!

#6 Post by **Lala7603** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:39 pm

i would stop wearing them. when i had elastics i wore them a little more than i was supposed to and i actually over-corrected my bite. but if all else fails....call the ortho
SMIles
Lala

#7 Post by **genxsis** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:07 pm

Ok. I have stopped wearing the elastics. It sure is nice NOT to be wearing them too! And I did call my ortho and asked about whether my teeth could start to revert if I stop wearing them, just as my teeth would start moving back after debracing if i didn't use a retainer. I was told that this was different and that they would not start reverting back again.