Elastics question

[butlerbulldogfan]

Kinda new to elastics, and I have to wear a strength #2 upside down triangle, and one on a back molar to a canine. question I have, most people say its painful wearing them but I never have any pain. I cant even tell their doing anything. For about 15 minutes after I replace one with a new one I can feel it pulling on my teeth with tension but then its like the rubber band loses most of its strength. I have to open my mouth really big to feel them again pulling on my teeth. How often do you replace them?

[LewisS]

Trust me, even though you can't feel them, they're still working. I was exactly the same as you and got told off by one of the ortho assistants for using too many elastics. I loved the feeling of a fresh elastic, because it felt like it was doing something. I no longer have to wear them now, but the whole time I thought they weren't actually moving my teeth.

[beckyboo0205]

Hey I'm only 3 days into elastics and have a different configuration to you but I can feel one side (canine to canine) but not really the other side (back molar to canine). I was told to change the 3-4 times a day... pretty much after the main meals and at night. I thiught elastics were going to be worse but I have some soreness. Mostly right after I change them I can feel it.

[butlerbulldogfan]

Thats good info to know Lewis. They gave me three bags and I have 9 weeks between appointments. Im already almost through one bag with 7 weeks to go so prob better slow down changing them. Its nice to know now that their still moving even though cant notice it. I really dreaded the day they were going tell me I have to wear them, but theyve not been too bad. The upside down triangle is a little annoying at times especially when trying lick my lips, cant be done on one side. But the canine to molar one has helped me break a habit of chewing on my tongue on that side. I dont know why I started that for but Ive broken it now thanks to the elastics lol.

[Matilda]

Kinda new to elastics, and I have to wear a strength #2 upside down triangle, and one on a back molar to a canine. question I have, most people say its painful wearing them but I never have any pain. I cant even tell their doing anything. For about 15 minutes after I replace one with a new one I can feel it pulling on my teeth with tension but then its like the rubber band loses most of its strength. I have to open my mouth really big to feel them again pulling on my teeth. How often do you replace them?

I was wondering the same. I was expecting a lot of extra pressure but there's no trace of it. I replace them after every meal and wear them nearly 23 hours a day.

[TMJJill]

I agree with the others. I was in multiple configurations during my treatment. Most, I didn't feel at all. There was one configuration that hurt quite a bit though. Whether or not I felt it, I got the results I needed over time. It is good if it isn't hurting.

[Matilda]

Trust me, even though you can't feel them, they're still working.

Good to know!