Elastics Confession + a question

[Waiting2BeFabulous]

I've been slacking on the wearing of my elastics for a couple of months now. Yes, I realize I'm only extending my time and slowing my progress....I just hate them.

When I've gone for my adjustments, my ortho keeps telling me that my bite looks good (it wasn't that off in the first place), but hems and haws over my stubborn extraction gaps which he says "are moving slower than expected."

I've been waiting for these gaps to close for a while too....and I guess I assumed that my elastics were for the sole purpose of fixing my bite. It never occurred to me that they might be helping to close gaps too. I know this may seem like a dumb question, but ARE elastics also used to close gaps?

P.S. I'm back to wearing the elastics religiously now, 24/7 except to eat and brush. I don't want to be my worst enemy.

[Wheellug]

Yes elastics are used to close gaps as well. They are pulling my front 6 teeth back to close some gaps using elastics. Keep wearing them!

[Lanna]

Yes! Wear your elastics! I put my treatment time back by about 6 months or so by not wearing my elastics and I would probably already be finished with my treatment if not for that. It sucks to be delayed by that much! Don't do that to yourself, hehe.

[bottlecap1990]

How long after you first got your braces you will get the elastics? I have had my braces for almost 5 months now and I just got 2 premolars extracted two days ago to make room on the top. My next appt. with my ortho is next saturday. Do you think I will get my elastic then?

[footpounds]

I got elastics at 8 months.

[ChristyD]

I started wearing elastics for the first time at about 9 months. I wear them religiously because I want the braces off! It's amazing how quick they adjusted my bite!

[MyLittleTeeth]

How long after you first got your braces you will get the elastics? I have had my braces for almost 5 months now and I just got 2 premolars extracted two days ago to make room on the top. My next appt. with my ortho is next saturday. Do you think I will get my elastic then?

It varies depending on your treatment plan. I got elastics at like 17 months. Some people don't need them at all (I wish I was in that group ).

[jambo532]

trust me wear them... I got springs instead of elastics and you don't want springs. I would give anything to wear elastics! I got my springs about 3 weeks ago so almost a year in.
www.allbraced.blogspot.com

[blackapple]

I thought it was just me. Seriously I hate the darn things. They look ridiculous as they are centered in a diagonal fashion on two front teeth. That alone makes me self conscious. I normally wear them 24 hours a day. Today I was like what the hell. Took them out this morning to eat and just never put them back in. I guess I should pop them back in now. I have only been wearing them a month anyway and had an adjustment this past Wednesday. My orthodontist didn't say anything though. Just said my panoramic xray is wonderful now.

[Meemoo]

Definitely wear your elastics! Mine are being used pretty much solely to close my gaps - well elastics and a powerchain on the top teeth. I got them 5 months into my treatment and a couple of weeks ago he doubled them up to make them work faster.