What’s in a name?
At Icon Orthodontics of Surprise and Glendale, we know that’s not just a question for Shakespeare!
Bracket, Bridge, Bruxism, Malocclusion, Mandible, Maxilla… when it comes to orthodontics and orthodontic care, the list goes on! There are a lot of technical terms floating around, and frankly, it can get pretty confusing.
You have questions about your or your child’s braces. That means you care about their treatment and want to understand just how everything works. Fortunately, Dr. Sun and Dr. Sarpotdar are your friendly local experts, and they’ve taken the time to sit down with us and explain what do rubber bands do for braces.
Types of Rubber Bands
First of all, when we talk about rubber bands for braces, we’re really talking about two different types: Ligatures and Elastics. Depending on your or your child’s particular case, Dr. Sun or Dr. Sarpotdar may only require the first type of band or the ligature.
In either case, both types of orthodontic rubber bands (really, elastic bands, as these aren’t your typical rubber bands!) are more sophisticated and comfortable than you may remember from high school! Let’s learn a little bit more about each:
Type #1 – Ligatures
No matter what treatment plan Dr. Sun or Dr. Sarpotdar develops for you or your child, if it involves traditional braces (metal or ceramic), it will include ligatures. These are the tools interwoven on each bracket. Ligatures are designed to hold the archwire in place with the correct tension to your teeth to affect the desired outcome. Ligatures are one of the most critical parts of any braces setup.
The ligatures stretch and wear out over time, so a unique tool called a Mathieu Plier replaces them at necessary intervals. Usually, at least one or two will be replaced during your child’s monthly visit. Additionally, The entire set will be replaced once the next phase of treatment is reached.
At Icon Orthodontics, we offer a variety of fun color options for ligatures. Just ask, and we can provide them in your favorite sports team or school colors!
Type #2 – Interarch Bands (Elastics)
Interarch bands, sometimes referred to as elastics, are an essential part of some treatment plans. Typically employed in the case of an over or underbite, interarch bands are not as intertwined with the mechanism as ligatures. They consist of a simple set of exterior bands connected to the brackets at strategic points using hooks. They run between the upper and lower jaw and will help to apply specifically directed pressure toward correcting your bite.
Dr. Sun or Dr. Sarpotdar can set the position of the interarch bands at specific points, depending on the type of bite problem. They are designed to be removed by the patient and should be taken out to brush and floss and, depending on direction, to eat.
These are an important part of many treatment plans, and when used correctly, they can drastically reduce the time required to fix your or your child’s smile and bite!
Your Smile Starts Here!
At Icon Orthodontics, you’re more than just a number – you’re a neighbor.
We take pride in offering the best possible service to our friends and relatives in the Surprise and Glendale communities, and that’s why we offer 100% free consultations to new patients every time.
So now that you know everything there is to know about the different types of rubber bands in braces, why don’t you give us a call today, and let’s see what your smile can do!