Metal Mouth Message Board

How do they work? I am a bit confused as to how they move the correct teeth - let me explain.

My right upper molars need to come down. My left lower molars need to shift up. I'm wearing elastics on both sides, but how do they move the teeth that need shifting, and not teeth the other half of the elastic is attached to? I'm asking because I fancy that my right lower molars are shifting more and more up, rather than just the uppers....

I got elastics the day I got my braces and I have been told they will be one of the biggest factors in helping me with my TMJ/TMD problems. They are and will be in my ENTIRE treatment, not like so many *lucky people* who just get them for a short while.

My othro said something about the elastics being able to provide a constant force on the teeth at angles and in ways that archwires can't achieve. You change the rubber bands multiple times a day and they can be placed in many different ways, depending on what forces your orthodontist needs them to place on your teeth. My ortho said it was a gentler way of getting the job done, instead of having such harsh forces against my teeth. The elastics are gentle, constant, and can be adjusted (different strengths etc...).

Some people get them for fine tuning, other people (like me) will use them for the major stuff.

For me, they have actually been used to expand my top palate --- instead of using an expander. They have reduced the crowding on top and literally expanded my arch and upper jaw.

Personally, I adore my elastics. They help hold my jaw in place and make my braces more comfortable. When I first got them, they caused me the most pain though but now I find myself in more pain when I don't have them. They also keep my teeth from hitting together most of the time

That's right, I have the same feeling about my elastics! I 'need' them and make my mouth feel better. If the first day I got them somebody had told me that I would end up 'loving' them I would've thought she was crazy! But now it is so weird to not wear them!