Adolescent Treatment & Braces

Why Rubber Bands Are an Important Part of Your Orthodontic Treatment

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The brackets and wires of your metal braces apply pressure to your teeth, allowing them to shift into a more desirable position. Patients with certain types of orthodontic issues, such as overbite, underbite, or crossbite, also benefit from wearing elastics (rubber bands) in orthodontic treatment in Fort Myers, FL.

Understanding the Anatomy of Metal Braces

It is important to know what each part of your braces does before you can understand how rubber bands help your teeth shift.

  • Brackets: These square-shaped metal pieces attach directly to your teeth with dental bonding material.
  • Archwire: This thin wire attaches to the brackets on your top and bottom rows of teeth. It applies force to the brackets to help your teeth shift.
  • Ligatures: This term refers to the small rubber bands attached to each individual brace that keep the archwire firmly in place.
  • Interarch rubber bands: These rubber bands loop around one bracket from the top row of teeth and another from the bottom row of teeth. Dr. Richards reserves interarch rubber bands for patients with significant alignment issues. The teeth supporting the interarch rubber bands have a small hook attached to the brace.

Patients who need to wear interarch rubber bands must remove them while eating and brushing their teeth. We will provide you with a package of interarch rubber bands since you need to replace them daily. Dr. John Roberts replaces ligature rubber bands at each appointment, so removing them is unnecessary.

Although patients may not find wearing elastics (rubber bands) in orthodontic treatment in Cape Coral, FL, they can significantly impact total treatment time.

Please reach out to schedule an orthodontic consultation at your convenience.

When Do I Need Adult Braces vs. Invisalign?

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Your teeth can become misaligned as you age for any number of reasons. Whether you grind your teeth at night, your wisdom teeth crowd the space, or your teeth are just prone to shifting, you can find your smile changing over time. If you want to straighten your teeth when you’re older, we’ll look at when you choose adult braces and when Invisalign is a better option.

Adult Braces Vs. Invisalign 

Adult braces in Cape Coral, FL, are specifically tailored for people who are past childhood and adolescence. They’re typically recommended for people with severe misalignment, as opposed to mild or moderate cases, which can be solved with Invisalign.

Here are a few things to note about the two types of treatment:

  • The visibility of metal braces turns most people off, but invisible options are available even if you’re not eligible for Invisalign. For instance, lingual adult braces are placed behind your teeth so that no one can see them.
  • Depending on your dental plan, adult braces may be more affordable than Invisalign. It’s important to check into the bottom line (e.g., follow-up appointments, etc) of the entire treatment before making your decision.
  • Invisalign is typically more comfortable than braces, as the trays won’t irritate your cheeks or tongue. However, it does require more commitment on the part of the patient, as they’ll need to be removed and replaced regularly while eating and drinking.

See an Orthodontist in Cape Coral

If you have questions about the pros and cons of either option, it’s important to work with a qualifiedorthodontist in Cape Coral, FL, who can answer your questions. At Richards & Associates Orthodontics, our staff can tell you more about how to make the right decision.