Some orthodontic patients need rubber bands during their braces treatment, while others don’t. Do you ever wonder why? What’s the primary purpose of using rubber bands for braces? At Unionville Orthodontics, we want you to understand why sometimes rubber bands are used with your braces and what they do for your teeth.
Braces have many parts. When you look in the mirror, you will see small, square metal pieces that are attached to your teeth. These are called brackets. Through these brackets run the archwire. The archwire helps move the teeth to the desired position. Lastly, there are two types of rubber bands. The little rubber bands or ligatures that hold the archwire in place. This type of rubber band is wrapped around each brace. If you want to have fun with braces, you can talk to your orthodontist about changing the colours of your ligatures.
The other type of rubber band is called the inter-arch rubber bands. These rubber bands connect the upper and lower brackets, which help in adjusting the position of the teeth and the jaw. Not all orthodontic patients require inter-arch rubber bands, as its application depends on the type of jaw problems and the recommendation of your orthodontist.
Orthodontists change the ligatures each time the patient’s braces are tightened, or the wire is adjusted. Whereas the inter-arch bands are changed daily because of the wear they sustain.
Don’t forget to ask us any questions you may have about your orthodontic treatment. We are here to help! Contact our orthodontic office in Markham.
-The Unionville Orthodontics Team
