Elastics with Invisalign

It is common to be instructed to use elastics with Invisalign. Here, we explain ALL you need to know about Elastics with Invisalign. Orthodontic elastics, or rubber bands, are vital in aligning teeth and correcting bite issues. Depending on the unique needs of the orthodontic patient, the following factors will be varied by your Dr.:

  1. Direction of elastic wear
  2. The start-to-end point of where to wear elastics
  3. The size and force levels of elastics
  4. The duration of wear of elastics per day

FAQs

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Individual aligners move and straighten teeth within the upper or lower arches (intra-arch). Elastics provide additional force to guide groups of teeth towards each other and improve the overall bite alignment (inter-arch).

Elastics with Invisalign

Elastics will exert a force on your teeth when worn. This may cause teeth and jaw muscle soreness, especially in the 1st week of elastic wear. This will improve with time as your teeth shift into position and when you get used to elastic wear.

Some tips to help:

  • Take light painkillers to ease discomfort
  • Start wearing elastics home and nightwear for the first few days and build up to full-time wear.

Practice makes perfect. Give yourself time and practice wearing elastics in front of a mirror. You will get the hang of wearing elastics in no time! It is an easy 1-2-3.

There will always be a Start and End point of elastics in the mouth. These points will be determined by your Orthodontist.

Step 1:

  • Wear your aligners FIRST. Use Chewies to ensure aligners are fully seated.

Step 2:

  • Hook elastics from the Start Point located further back of the mouth.
  • Press and hold down the elastics onto the aligner or button.
  • Gently pull forward to engage the elastic at the Start Point.

Step 3:

  • Stretch the elastic forward and hook over the End Point to finish.

Watch our video on ‘How to wear Elastics with Invisalign’ here.

Microimplant or TADs may be indicated during your Invisalign treatment to help with difficult tooth movement. 

The Start Point is usually the Head of the Microimplant or TAD. Sometimes, your Dr. may place a wire hook extension from the Head for easier elastic placement. 

Step 1:

  • Wear your aligners FIRST. Use Chewies to ensure aligners are fully seated.

Step 2:

  • Hook elastics from the Start Point which is usually the Head of the microimplant or TAD.
  • Gently pull forward to engage the elastic at the Start Point.

Step 3:

  • Stretch the elastic forward and hook over the End Point to finish.

 

How to wear elastics from a microimplant or TAD to invisalign

Watch our video on ‘How to wear Elastics from a Microimplant or TAD to Invisalign’ here.

Patients with Invisalign may be instructed to wear Elastics from:

  • Aligner to Aligner
  • Aligner to the tooth (button or tube)
  • Tooth to Tooth
  • TADs to Aligners
  • TADs to tooth


Do call us for help. Our team is ready to assist with elastics training and investigate the problem. The Start Point is either from the (1) Aligner, (2) on the Tooth, or from (3) TADs.

Some of the possible reasons why you can not find the Start Point: 

  1. From the Aligner:
      • The Precision Cut of the aligner may be too flush against the tooth surface. 
      • Before wearing the aligner, FOLD OUT the Precision Cut to make it easier to hook the elastics on. Watch the Video
  2. From the Tooth:
      • The Button/ Tube on the tooth is missing or is blocked by inflamed gums.
      • Please call the clinic to schedule an earlier appointment.
  3. From TADs:
      • The TADs may be blocked by gum, or the TAD is missing.
      • Please call the clinic to schedule an earlier appointment.

Try FOLDING OUT the Precision Cut to make it easier for elastics to stay on. Watch the Video

If doing this does not help, please call the clinic for an earlier appointment so we can investigate further.

The most important details of your prescribed orthodontic elastics are the Size and the Force levels. Generally, Size is quoted in inches and the Force level in ounces.

These are printed on the front of the pack of orthodontic elastics.

The cute name given to the elastic pack is unimportant and will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. It can be a country name, type of animal, name of an object, etc, it does not matter. The most important details are the Size and the Force levels.

If accidentally swallowed, elastics will pass out uneventfully when you do a poo-poo.

Avoid yawning too wide, eating with elastics on, or playing with elastics in your mouth to prevent breaking or dislodging your elastics, which can be accidentally swallowed.

No! Wearing more elastic pieces than our Orthodontic Team prescribes is NOT recommended. Doing so can cause severe side effects that will unnecessarily increase treatment time, damage teeth, and incur unnecessary costs to rectify.

The hours of elastic wear are more important than the number of pieces for orthodontic treatment.

Light, continuous forces have been shown to promote faster and more comfortable tooth movement.

Your OWN FINGERS are the BEST tools to put on elastics. Your fingers are readily available, therefore, elastics can be worn any time of the day.

We have a tool for patients with great difficulties called Elastic Placer. This little tool is handy, but patients will become very dependent on it. We worry that elastic wear will stop if they lose the elastic placer, causing unnecessary delays in treatment.

Call us at 6737 9797 (Holland V. branch) or 6530 3605 (Novena branch) if you have any problems or questions. Before you go, it would mean a lot to us if you shared what you love about us in a review here. Thank you!


Cheers always, 
Dr Poon Kee Hwang & The Team at MyBracesClinic

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