Metal Mouth Message Board

After undergoing jaw surgery, I have had to wear rubber bands in order to keep my bite in place.

However, I am finding that they are not that effective, as my bite is off centre by a mm.

It is coming up to my fifth week (and I am aware after the 6th week, the jaw bone has fully healed) wearing them so I have the following questions:

1) Do they work?

I have read online that it is now basically a battle between the muscle and jaw bone. Where the muscle always wins.

2) Should I change the rubber band often, I find over time it loses its elasticity. If so how many times during the day?

3) How do they work, is the change in position with the rubber bands gradual?

Cheers.

YYY

i change my rubber bands every 4 hours or so.

the bands i believe are an aid to protect the jaw from stress and direct the bite whatever way your surgeon deems necessary.

i believe what you are experiencing is normal. your "bite" isn't off - it is your teeth. an overjet is typical, that's something your ortho will correct as you recover from surgery.

Big Tex wrote:i change my rubber bands every 4 hours or so.

Ive found this has worked a lot.

It has shifted it from 2mm to 1mm off centre. (which I can live with)