Metal Mouth Message Board

My ortho told me I'd be getting elastics, and I assumed right off the bat. Nothing. Went for my 9 week check up. Nothing. When does this happen??? And now that I am slowly getting used to my braces, is it going to be awful when I get them? Will I feel like it is day one again?? I used to think they just went right from top to bottom at the back, but now that I hear they are near the front I'm a bit panicky and hoping it gets put off as long as possible.

Hey Jessie--I've had my elastics for let's see...14 months and 4 days!

Don't worry about them. They are in all kinds of configurations and at whatever point the ortho thinks your teeth need them. Almost everyone gets them at some point. I just find them annoying, that's all--no big deal...

Elastics are my friends! I love them because I feel them working their magic as soon as I put them on and I see the great, quick progress these elastics have made is reducing my overbite/overjet. They were a little challenging to get used to, but you will adjust quickly. My ortho started me on elastics at about the 7 month mark and I have worn two different strengths so far. They lose their intensity over time so I change them morning and night. Good luck!

I got mine after one year and 2 months. I only have to wear them at night, so it is not that bad. I already see a difference in my bite.

wear them! for the first week its a little weird getting used to just like braces. But they work REALLY well and it can shorten your braces time by up to a year if you wear them!

I started with elastics within weeks of getting my braces. It was tough at first figuring out the best way to get them on since I have to put several elastics on the same back molar, but once I got it down, it hasn't been that bad.

Well I'll just hope every visit he doesn't mention it then. ha! Sounds like it could be at any point. I'm only supposed to have them for 18 months total, so I assume it will be coming soon. I will do whatever it takes to speed this process along! I can barely get in my mouth to floss let alone change elastics all the time. Should be interesting!

Hi there. I have had elastics for about 14 weeks now. I found the first 24hrs really strange but after that I got use to them really quickly...I actually find them quite comforting ive been really good and wear them 24hrs a day and feel really strange if I take them out it feels like my jaw might fall off!!!! So dont stress they arent a big deal and you will have a fantastic bite!!! Good luck xxx

Same here. My ortho said I would wear them "at some point" but nothing else has been said... I am thinking she will let me know when the time comes.

I was told when I am braced this Friday, I will have them that day.

Elastics are no big deal. It's awesome to feel your bite come together. As long as you're dilligent about wearing them, you won't have to wear them too long.
Be careful yawning... Sometimes they snap.
The only negative is that I find myself grinding my teeth, especially at night, because my jaw is held so close.

I've had braces since June 21 (just over a month) and yesterday I began wearing elastics. I have the Wildlife series, Mountain Gorilla (3/16 in; Medium 4.5 oz) for the front, and the Galapagos Giant Tortoise (3/16 in; Heavy 6.5 oz) for the side/back. I am super happy to have the Neon colors, which I like so much better than the rubber color one that looks as though something is hanging front my teeth.

I have to wear them 24/7, changing them 2-3 times a day. However, the one in front I can take off when I lecure (I teach college courses), so I am grateful to know that. The side/back one isn't very noticeable.

Today, it is soup only and my teeth fairly sore. All my molars are super sore - but really only if I try to eat. Otherwise, I don't notice any discomfort.
Wine is definitely on the menu for later this evening!

The one in the front???? Like there will be one right smack in the front of my mouth? Oh dear. I am already self conscious enough about the braces, and just getting used to them, and now I'm going to be paranoid about looking stupid all over again. I thought they'd be further back. Oohh no.

Hi

I was given elastics last November (top braces fitted July and bottom in October) and wore them up til last week.

I must admit, they were hard to get used to at first but once you see how quickly they work and you can feel your bite change, you start to love them!

I had two different thicknesses of elastics over the 8 months and used to change them every 12 hours (ortho said every 24 hours but I wanted things to move a wee bit quicker!).

They really are brilliant and well worth sticking with.

Good luck!

Got elastics at 6 months. The elastics were not too bad. I had not problem eating with them nor did they bother me. NOw if you yawn , you may notice them. My problem with elastics was remembering to take them out or put them back in when i has to wear them 10 hours a day .