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Fantastic Elastics

Home » Blog » Fantastic Elastics

  • Simply Southern Smiles
  • February 26, 2020

If you already wear traditional braces, you know all about these helpful little rubber rings. But if you are new to the world of braces, you might like to know just what kind of elastics are available and what they can do for you.

  • Ligatures: Alignment Assistance

When you get your braces, the brackets you’ve chosen will be bonded to your teeth. Once they are attached securely, an arch wire will be threaded through the brackets to provide consistent gentle pressure, moving your teeth into their best positions. But what holds that wire in place? This is where those tiny, colorful bands, called ligatures, come in. Fit snugly around the wire and the bracket, they keep the wire where it needs to be to move your teeth to a better alignment.

There are also ligatures call “c-chain ligatures,” or “power chains.” These tiny ligature bands are connected to each other, and fit across the brackets in one long strip. This design lets them not only hold your wires in place, but help move your teeth closer together at the same time. They come in a variety of sizes depending on the spacing of your teeth, and might be worn weeks or months as needed.

One thing to remember is that while ligatures are essential, they are not permanent! Every time you have your wires tightened or replaced, you can make this an opportunity to express your personality through your choice of bands. There is a wide variety of color choices available, so take advantage of it!

Show your school spirit by displaying your high school’s colors. Go orange and black for Halloween. Match your ligature tones to your go-to clothing colors. Or, go monochromatic. Match grey or silver bands to your brackets, or choose white or clear bands if you have ceramic brackets. (One word of caution—light colored ligatures can pick up stains from dark foods and drinks. On the other hand, they won’t be around that long!)

  • Rubber Bands: Building Better Bites

While ligatures are the colorful attention-getters in the elastics world, there are other bands that do very important work. When you have a malocclusion, or bad bite, your upper and lower jaws don’t fit together perfectly. We use rubber bands to align your bite correctly and carefully move it into the proper position. This is accomplished by attaching bands to tiny hooks on specially chosen brackets on the upper and lower teeth. The bands usually connect an upper bracket to a lower one, and are specifically placed to correct your unique bite problem.

If you need this type of elastic, you will play a very important part in making your orthodontic treatment work. You will probably need to wear your bands 24 hours a day, removing them only for brushing and flossing. (Talk to us about how to work with your bands when you are eating, playing an instrument, or wearing a mouthguard.) And they need to be replaced several times a day, which is where you come in.

Even if the bands look perfect, after hours of work, they lose the tightness needed to keep moving your teeth to their best position. Bands that are too loose won’t be as effective. On the other hand, doubling the bands is a bad idea because that might apply too much force. Bands come in a variety of sizes and strengths, and yours have been chosen for this specific phase of your treatment. Keep calm, keep to a schedule, and keep a supply of bands on hand in case one breaks, and everything will work out.

If this sounds like a lot of confusing information, don’t worry! Dr. Michael Woods will supply you with the right bands for your treatment, clear instructions on where and how to place them, and practice time for putting them in. You’ll probably need a mirror at first, but you’ll become an expert in no time.

If you ever have questions we can help you with, contact our Statesville, NC office immediately. We are here to guide you through the process and help you with any problems you might have. Wearing your bands consistently and correctly will help you achieve your beautiful smile in the shortest time possible. And that’s an accomplishment that is truly fantastic!

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We’re thankful for the opportunity to serve our community. Hear what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with us!
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Jho B.
Dr. Woods and his team are awesome! They're very responsive and patient. They made my daughter's orthodontic experience very pleasant & we highly recommend them.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that Dr. Woods and the team were able to provide a positive experience for your daughter. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to continuing to serve you and your family.
Matt R.
In November 2021, I decided I wanted a better smile and needed orthodontics. After visiting several orthodontists and not having much luck, I met with Dr Woods and his staff and immediately went with them. After three and a half years (because my teeth were horribly misaligned), my braces came off yesterday, and I’m more than pleased with the results. Dr Woods and his staff have been more than amazing to work with throughout this journey. I highly recommend them to anyone who is considering braces. You will NOT be disappointed.

Thank you for everything, Dr. Woods and team!!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Matt, for sharing your experience and for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you are pleased with your results after your journey with us. It's been an honor to support you in achieving a smile you can be proud of. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we truly appreciate your trust in Dr. Woods and our team. Enjoy your beautiful new smile!
Junior B.
I have been going to simply southern smiles for about 2 years and the experience I have each time is wonderful. The waiting time is minimum, schedules are flexible and office is very clean. I recommend going to get braces from here and have the experience I had. Dentist and receptionists are responsible respectful and outgoing. Thank you for the good job and services I was provided during this time. God bless you
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Junior! We're thrilled to hear that your experiences at Simply Southern Smiles have consistently met your expectations. Our team prides itself on providing efficient, respectful service, and we appreciate your recommendation for braces. Your kind words motivate us to keep delivering the best care possible. God bless you as well!
Samantha R.
Dr. Woods and his team are always kind and pay attention to every detail. I have had a great experience at Simply Southern Smiles over the past few years. I love my new smile and highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Samantha! We're thrilled to hear that you've had a great experience with Dr. Woods and the team. Your satisfaction and your new smile are what we strive for, and we appreciate your recommendation. We look forward to seeing you again at Simply Southern Smiles!
Ana M.
Dr. Woods and his staff were very patient and explained what was happening at each appointment. The atmosphere created was welcoming and peaceful. Definitely recommend Dr. Woods and staff! I am so excited to have a new and improved smile!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words, Ana! We're thrilled to hear that you felt welcomed and that our team made your experience a positive one. Your excitement about your new smile means a lot to us. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to seeing you again! Sincerely, Dr. Woods & Team!
Tazaria
Great experience! The staff is friendly & the office is clean. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience and found our staff friendly and the office clean. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

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