rubber bands

• Do All Houston Braces Patients Need Rubber Bands?

  Houston braces can be a cumbersome and uncomfortable experience. While our staff at Centra Dental try our utmost to ensure that your visits and treatments with us are as pleasant and stress-free as possible, the truth is that rubber bands may be a necessary part of a patient’s treatment. It makes sense that patients with braces would like to minimize the number of parts and components in their mouth that they need to take care of and clean. That’s why one of the most common questions asked by Houston braces patients of their South Houston family dentist is whether or not they need rubber bands, also sometimes called elastics, installed on their braces. The short answer is: It depends.

  Why Do Houston Braces Have Rubber Bands Anyway?

  Houston braces work through the firm and constant application of pressure on your teeth and jaw to correct misalignments, straighten crooked teeth, and resolve tooth crowding issues. Most of the work is done through wires and brackets, but sometimes, these are not enough. Your South Houston dentist must resort to adding strategically located rubber bands among your braces in order to add a little more force and pressure in the right direction. This additional hardware is understandably a source of discomfort and inconvenience to patients, as these rubber bands can make eating more difficult and make cleaning their braces more complicated. However, South Houston pediatric dentistry experts say that the discomfort from braces and rubber bands tends to go away within 2-3 days, and while cleaning braces will always be tedious, they will teach patients to better clean and care for their teeth.

  When Are Rubber Bands Not Needed With Houston Braces

  In general, rubber bands are employed in Houston braces to correct misaligned jaw conditions such as overbite, underbite, open bite, and crossbite. If you do not suffer from any of these conditions, you may not need rubber bands at all on your braces. Additionally, even in the case that you do need rubber bands installed on your braces, your Houston family dentist may determine that they only need to be part of your treatment for only a few months of the one to two years of the total time that you are wearing braces.

  Get Your Houston Braces Stress-Free From the South Houston Family Dentist You Can Trust

  At Centra Dental, we’re fighting the perception of visits to your South Houston Dentist being occasions of fear and dread. Our staff puts in the utmost effort to make each visit a relaxing and productive affair. We also accept most PDP, DPPO, and PPO dental insurance plans, as well as CHIP and both Adult and Children's Medicaid, making us your trusted source for affordable braces. Give us a call and let’s schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience!

• Why Are Rubber Bands Used in South Houston Braces Treatment?

  Dental braces are effective in correcting crooked teeth to give you a more confident smile. They also address bite issues, overcrowding, and too much space. If you have braces, chances are, you’d need to wear rubber bands at some point in your treatment. Elastics work by applying additional force to your teeth. Here are some reasons why you may need elastics. 

  Corrects Too Much Space

  South Houston braces can be used to treat spacing problems. If you have too much space in your teeth or wide gaps, your dentist may recommend rubber bands. Your elastics provide extra pressure to make sure unwanted gaps close. They are connected horizontally by hooking them onto your brackets. 

  Corrects Overbites and Underbites

  Elastics are used to treat both overbites and underbites. An overbite is when the upper teeth protrude too much over the lower teeth. Rubber bands are connected to the upper jaw and lower molars to correct overbites. An underbite is the opposite; it’s when the lower jaw sticks out too much. A South Houston dentist may connect elastics from your lower jaw to the upper molars to treat an underbite.

  Corrects Open Bites and Crossbites

  Patients who had the habit of thumbsucking may develop an open bite. This is when your upper teeth don’t touch your lower teeth when your mouth is closed. Linking your upper and lower teeth together usually treats open bites. Meanwhile, a crossbite is when a group of upper teeth are positioned behind a group of lower teeth. Your South Houston family dentist may recommend crossing elastics over your front teeth to correct a crossbite.

  Types of Rubber Bands for Dental Braces

  Elastics come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. They are available in light, medium, and heavy gauges. Your South Houston dentist will tell you which one to use, depending on the severity of your condition. You may be given a mix of sizes, as some elastics need to stretch farther than others. Whichever variety you’re prescribed, make sure to use them exactly as directed for the best results.

  What to Expect With Dental Elastics

  Rubber bands lose their elasticity throughout the day. You will need to change elastics once or multiple times a day. The duration of use will be determined by your South Houston family dentist. Remember to follow their instructions carefully.

  Book a Treatment for South Houston Braces

  Achieve the smile you’ve always wanted by booking a treatment with Centra Dental. We offer a pleasant and stress-free dental experience while ensuring you get the best possible treatment. Our top-rated dentist performs all vital services, including South Houston braces with rubber bands. Why choose Centra Dental? We embrace your smiles. We put a premium on the safety of our patients and staff. We have surgically clean air circulating all throughout as well as entertainment for the whole family. Ask us about our dental service specials! We look forward to serving you.