Elastics Questions...

[AmICrazy?]

First, I thought and have read that elastics are usually toward the end, or 2nd half, of treatment. Having said that I am supposed to start mine next month at the 4 month mark of a 12-18 month estimated treatment time. Anyone else get them this early? How long do you typically wear these? I will ask my ortho at my next appt what his specific timeframe for me is but I'd like to get an idea before then :/ After only 3 months my results have been awesome and I even got my bite plate out a month early so I really think I am MUCH closer to the 12 month treatment time.

Second, do the elastics make you talk funny? Do they offer different colors? I will be getting mine to correct an overbite so I guess they will be pretty noticeable when I talk so I'd like to avoid neon pink ones if possible, haha!

[Ellebraced]

I am new to elastics, just got them a couple weeks ago, so I don't have all the answers you need.

They hurt for a day then I was good. I wear mine 24/7 minus a few minutes to brush my teeth. I am currently wearing them to fix my midline and it is amazing how fast they move, almost in line now.

I wear them even when I eat no problems. I will have many different elastic combos, next I guess with be work to fix my overbite.

I don't talk different but sometimes I feel I have to make more effort to pronounce my words and move my tongue. It feels really weird to not have them in for a few minutes to brush my teeth, my mouth feels huge.

Mine are just plain colour, I had pasta for dinner last night and they got all stained, I don't know how people wear white ligs.

Good luck, sounds like your progress is going great. I don't think there is any kind of reasoning behind what orthos do, so people seem to wear from day one, some on and off all treatment, for me it was at the 4 month mark when things were very straight, I will be getting my finishing wires next appointment but I still have a LONG time to go. My quote was 18-30 months. Hoping for 18 or sooner. I was also told I needed forsus springs but looks like elastics will do the job instead.

Good luck!

[Snowglobe32]

I think I got my elastics (for the first time) a little over the 12 month mark. I wore them for about 10 weeks and then they started to overcorrect so I had to stop.

Recently, I have had two teeth that were hitting so my ortho just put me back in elastics on Friday. I will go back in 4 weeks for a check. I wear two elastics on each side. Well, when I am at work, I only wear one of each side because they look ridiculous.

I don't think there is a set time frame for wearing elastics, it depends on your teeth. I have read some people wear elastics throughout their entire time wearing braces.

I have elastics in neon colors, clear (latex free) and an off white/cream color. They don't make you talk funny and how comfortable they will be, will depend on what configueration you wear. Some people wear them all day except for eating, some wear only at night.

Elastics have been the worst pain for me so far. They will take about a week to get used to. You can always use a heating pad for the pain and of course, otc pain relievers.

[fraid090]

I was given elastics to correct my overbite/jet at the last appointment which was 5 months into an 18 month treatment time. I haven't asked how long I'll have to wear them but I guess it'll be 6+ months. They are an off white colour and no alternative was offered. They don't effect speech at all and generally they're no bother.

[Chicagogal]

Since elastics use the power of your jaw to move things around in different directions, movement can happen quickly. The downside is that it's a very tricky (and loose) science. Since they're so powerful teetch can move more quickly in a direction the ortho may not have anticipated, so most of the time it's a "wait and see" like powerchains can be. Some people get good results at the end of their treatment with them, some have a longer process of elastic bite correction.

I have the offwhite and I wish I had clear. Not a big fan of how they're darker than my teeth. The elastics aren't as bad as the hooked wire I had to get to put them on. yeeeesh!!

[klobird]

Wow all of you!!! I got my braces about 12 days ago, and elastics came as part of my deal!! I barely notice them--I wear them 24/7 except to brush my teeth--and most of the time I forget then, until I realize I'm having trouble brushing...

From what I understand--elastics are nothing compared to the Forsus I will be getting in 6 months---METAL SPRINGS!! (That take the place of elastics--they are permanent for several months!!!) YUUUUUUCCCCKKKKK!!!

[Dressy1]

First, I thought and have read that elastics are usually toward the end, or 2nd half, of treatment. Having said that I am supposed to start mine next month at the 4 month mark of a 12-18 month estimated treatment time. Anyone else get them this early? How long do you typically wear these? I will ask my ortho at my next appt what his specific timeframe for me is but I'd like to get an idea before then :/ After only 3 months my results have been awesome and I even got my bite plate out a month early so I really think I am MUCH closer to the 12 month treatment time.

Second, do the elastics make you talk funny? Do they offer different colors? I will be getting mine to correct an overbite so I guess they will be pretty noticeable when I talk so I'd like to avoid neon pink ones if possible, haha!

I also started to wear elastics early enough (after 5-6 month, estimated total is 18). Depends on your case I guess. No biggy.
What did you have you bite plate for? was it effective?

[AmICrazy?]

First, I thought and have read that elastics are usually toward the end, or 2nd half, of treatment. Having said that I am supposed to start mine next month at the 4 month mark of a 12-18 month estimated treatment time. Anyone else get them this early? How long do you typically wear these? I will ask my ortho at my next appt what his specific timeframe for me is but I'd like to get an idea before then :/ After only 3 months my results have been awesome and I even got my bite plate out a month early so I really think I am MUCH closer to the 12 month treatment time.

Second, do the elastics make you talk funny? Do they offer different colors? I will be getting mine to correct an overbite so I guess they will be pretty noticeable when I talk so I'd like to avoid neon pink ones if possible, haha!

I also started to wear elastics early enough (after 5-6 month, estimated total is 18). Depends on your case I guess. No biggy.
What did you have you bite plate for? was it effective?

My top canines were in crossbite and went behind my lower teeth when I bit down. The bite plate was to open my bite long enough to get them out of crossbite, which was estimated to take 4 months but only took 3! It was highly effective but a huge pain int he butt! Glad it's out!!

[~KMG~]

At my first adjustment I was given light elastics, but only to wear on one side. They were trying to create some space for my impacted canine that has to erupt, so the elastics were supposed to help keep my midline in check. I only wore them for about 4 weeks though.... Since I only had one side and they were light, I didn't notice much pain or abrasiveness.

[hypocrite opportunist]

I had two light elastics given to me at four months, which I wore for four months to correct my deep bite. At eight months they gave me a heavy duty, no-nonsense elastic to wear on my right side during the day, and on both sides at night, to correct my midline. So to answer your question, elastics at four months is completely normal. They do not make you talk funny, and you honestly begin to forget they are there. However, beware of close-up pictures b/c depending on your configuration, they can be very noticeable and quite unattractive.

[Bracer215]

I got elastics after 2 months. I wear them in the shape of a triangle. The elastic is attached to the top canine on each side and them to the bottom canine and the bottom premolar next to the canine. Since the bands are in the front of my mouth it does affect my speech somewhat. I know most folks wear the elastics 24/7 but my ortho told me to wear them at night for 12 hours. I don't have to wear them during the day but can do so (and I do) as much as possible. This has been a little confusing for me as most people are wearing them 24/7.

[Dressy1]

My top canines were in crossbite and went behind my lower teeth when I bit down. The bite plate was to open my bite long enough to get them out of crossbite, which was estimated to take 4 months but only took 3! It was highly effective but a huge pain int he butt! Glad it's out!!

I am glad it worked. How do you like your elastics? I am pretty annoyed with mine, since you have to take them off for eating and then putting them on again - this is a tedious thing to do for me, since I am eating all the time

[Marigold]

I got mine at the 4-month mark and have to wear them 12 hours a day. They're attached the same way as Bracer215's. I can't open my mouth very far at all. Speech is a bit mumbled, and eating is impossible. I put them in after dinner and take them out when I wake up. Keeps me from snacking in the evening

[fraid090]

I didn't want to start a whole new thread just for my question so if you don't mind I'll just tag it on the end of yours...

Since getting braces I have been waking up clenching my teeth - I have an overbite/jet, have had upper premolar extractions and wearing elastics - just wondering if my clenching will inhibit the progress made by elastics?.

[BracesBlonde]

I have had elastics since day 1!! to fix a crossbite. Ive had braces for 6 months and have been wearing elastics the entire time. sigh.