PART-TIME ELASTIC BAND DILEMMA.. PLEASE HELP!

[Sarahjaywrites]

Hi everyone,
As of 3 days ago i've had rubber bands added to my treatment and every night at 4am i've woken up in total agony, unable to get back to sleep. It's draining and making me miserable. Painkillers give me tummy cramps so i can no longer take those.

My ortho told me i should wear the bands at night and additionally if i happen to be at home all day or not doing much i should try to wear them during those times too. He said i do not need to wear them out and about/to work.

I keep seeing online that rubber bands do not move teeth unless you wear them full time and i also keep seeing people saying that the pain does not go away unless you wear them full time as your teeth and jaws never adapt to the force. If that's true, then what is the point of me wearing them only part time and going through all this pain if my teeth are not going to move?! Should i just start wearing them full time??

Pleasee help guys has anyone seen significant movement in their teeth and/or reduction in pain while wearing bands only part time??

Losing my mind! Lol!

[Beckett]

I was wearing elastics on both sides, 24/7. Then he moved me to night only, right side only. Yes, things hurt more in the morning, but I'm used to it now and only notice a little extra tenderness. It's not that nighttime only *won't* move your teeth, it will just do it slower, which may be for a very good reason.

I would give yourself a week or two for your mouth to get used to the force that elastics put on your teeth. Don't wear them full time unless your orthodontist gives you the approval.

[Sarahjaywrites]

Thanks so much! That makes me feel more hopeful about the movement. Last night I managed to get some rest, still super sore in the morning but i guess things are looking up!

[jaime]

I agree with Beckett. Give it some more time and it most likely will stop being painful. Those first few days are always the worst! I do think it's probably easier to transition from 24/7 to night only, instead of going straight to night only, but the pain should still go away soon!

Since painkillers bother you, what about a sleeping pill?

[sandiego88]

I read that part-time elastics are meant to hold your teeth in current position, whereas full-time is for active movement. I went from full-time to part-time and my teeth hurt for like 2-3 weeks before I got used to it. If they continue to hurt, perhaps you can ask your ortho for lighter elastics? Mine started me on ram (strong) but I asked for lighter ones and got medium strength. That made all the difference for me.