Is it normal I'm not wearing rubber bands?

[EvilBunny]

So I've been wearing braces to correct a deep bite and crowding for a bit over a year. I still haven't heard a thing about rubber bands. Will I eventually have to wear them or does my orthodontist just do things differently? I'm supposed to get my braces off next year. Does the lack of rubber bands mean I'll wear them longer?

[assertives]

Have you asked your ortho? I am also correcting a deep bite and crowding but I have protrusion as well. My ortho just told me that he will be starting me on rubber bands sometime in Dec or Jan which would be at the 6 months mark for me.

[MissEvaH]

I was well into my second year before my ortho started getting me to wear rubber bands.

[selinaxx89]

I am 7 days in and my ortho didn't tell me about needing them... I would think they would have said something about what I would have but nope!!

[Tyrantblade]

You are lucky if you can avoid elastics for a while; ive had elastics for as long as ive had braces; like literally since day 1.

[EvilBunny]

[quote="MissEvaH"]I was well into my second year before my ortho started getting me to wear rubber bands.[/quote]
Yikes! Were you supposed to wear braces for two years as well? Or did he give you a longer sentence?

[MissEvaH]

My sentence is supposed to be 2 years total. In my case, I think the elastics are just to correct my bite now that they teeth have all moved to where they need to be.

[EvilBunny]

On my most recent appointment I got asked to make my appointment in five weeks instead of six. Does this mean I'll get rubber bands?

[DrJasonKTam]

Lots of different ways to open up the bite. It can be done with the wires. Using elastics may help as well, but depending on the stage of your treatment, it may or may not be possible/beneficial yet. If you have questions about whether they would help, best ask at your next visit. Good luck!

[EvilBunny]

[quote="DrJasonKTam"]Lots of different ways to open up the bite. It can be done with the wires. Using elastics may help as well, but depending on the stage of your treatment, it may or may not be possible/beneficial yet. If you have questions about whether they would help, best ask at your next visit. Good luck![/quote]
So there's a chance I won't wear rubber bands? It does seem like he does things a bit differently. I know he avoids extractions. He also never remotely mentioned rubber bands. I wouldn't know they exist if I didn't do online research.

[catteethidk]

Asked my own ortho this about a week ago. They all depend on your specific case! Some people need them and some don't, but they usually come in later in treatment.

[DrJasonKTam]

So there's a chance I won't wear rubber bands? It does seem like he does things a bit differently. I know he avoids extractions. He also never remotely mentioned rubber bands. I wouldn't know they exist if I didn't do online research.

We try not to extract if possible either but virtually every one of our patients will use elastics at some point in their treatment. Lots of different ways to do things .