Metal Mouth Message Board

I've been braced for about 8 months now and during my last adjustment I got elastics. My question is does this mean that my treatment is leaning towards the final stages? Also, how long did it take for any of you to get debanded once your ortho started using elastics. Thanks.

My ortho told me that elastics are used at the end of the treatment to rotate teeth that brackets couldn’t fix. She also told me that people have to use them for at least 2 months. But I’m in the very beginning so I can’t tell you from my experience.

Good luck

I hope this doesn't depress you...

I was told to expect elastics on the 3rd adjustment and to expect to have them on an ongoing basis for the full 18 months. I think a lot depends on what the ortho is using them for; for me the issue is having "no bite" (neither over nor under) but my teeth land directly on top of one another and I am wearing down my lower teeth so the elastics will be moving the lower teeth back. I think there is so much variation with how they are used that checking with the ortho may be your best bet.

Thanks for your replies guys. I've always thought that elastics were used in the last stages of treatment. All my co-workers told me this so I got all excited about getting them off LOL

NuckingFuts wrote:I've been braced for about 8 months now and during my last adjustment I got elastics. My question is does this mean that my treatment is leaning towards the final stages? Also, how long did it take for any of you to get debanded once your ortho started using elastics. Thanks.

Ditto to what missingu said. It really just depends on what the ortho is trying to accomplish in your treatment. Some people only need them for a couple of months near the end of treatment, some people don't even need them at all...and then some people are like me and they got elastics at the second adjustment, and nearly 13 months later still has them.

Best to ask your ortho...good luck!

If they being used for closing spaces, then you're somewhat close to the end.

I've had elastics since the second or third month. Some people just start them earlier.

I've got a powerchain on the lowers for this month to close gaps, and I am half way through (6-7 months to go).