They come in different sizes depending on where they are to be placed in the mouth and where they are attached. Rubber bands, on the other hand, are larger and apply pressure in places to aid your braces in aligning your teeth. Braces bands can also be categorized by the amount of force they exert. Some types of braces, such as self-ligating braces, don't need these ‘o' ties to stay in place. There are two main different types of orthodontic elastic bands, ligatures and rubber bands. Ligatures are small bands that go around your braces brackets to keep your archwires securely attached. Ligatures or ‘o' ties keep your archwires in place Are there different types of rubber bands for braces? Bands can be made from either synthetic material or latex, but this study shows that latex bands last much longer and are more stable over a 24-hour period. They typically consist of latex, but there are bands available that are latex-free for those that may have an allergy to latex. So you shouldn’t just use any elastic bands, as they won’t work as efficiently or at all. Orthodontic bands are designed specially to apply the right amount of pressure to your teeth. They can go diagonally or vertically to apply force in areas where your braces can’t by themselves.īrace elastics look very similar to the rubber bands that you can buy from any stationery store or post office, but they are not the same. The placement of the bands depends on where pressure is needed to help align your teeth. They help to move the teeth and jaws into alignment. Orthodontic elastic bands are special rubber bands that your orthodontist attaches to small hooks on both your upper and lower braces. However, the main rubber bands we discuss in this article are bigger and are added to your orthodontic treatment to help straighten your teeth and align your bite. What are orthodontic elastic bands for braces? Why do rubber bands on braces hurt so much?īefore we jump to what these orthodontic elastic bands are, let’s get started with how braces work and where rubber bands fit into the equation.

When do you start wearing rubber bands for braces?.Are there different types of rubber bands for braces?.So, if you’re getting elastic bands for braces, or you already have them and want to know more, this article will answer the following questions. While many people know you can get colorful braces, they don’t always associate the colors with a type of orthodontic elastic band.Įven fewer people realize that your dentist or orthodontist will use rubber bands to help your fixed braces apply more pressure to your teeth and bite to align your smile.

If you are getting traditional braces, you can expect brackets and wires attached to your teeth, but at some point, you will also need elastic bands for braces.

Braces rubber band color wheel