How to wear orthodontic elastics
Orthodontic elastics — also known as rubber bands — are small but mighty. They are one of the most powerful tools your dentist has for correcting your bite, and how consistently and correctly you wear them directly determines how effectively they work. Here's everything you need to know.
What are orthodontic elastics and why do I need them?
Orthodontic elastics are small rubber bands that connect your upper and lower braces or aligner attachments to apply gentle but consistent force across the jaws. Unlike the archwire which moves individual teeth, elastics work on a larger scale — they correct the relationship between the upper and lower jaw and teeth.
Elastics are commonly used to correct:
An overbite — where the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth too much
An underbite — where the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth
A crossbite — where the upper and lower teeth do not meet correctly from side to side
Midline discrepancies — where the centre of the upper and lower teeth do not align
Spaces — to help close gaps between teeth
Bite settling — to help the teeth come together harmoniously at the end of treatment
Your dentist will show you exactly which teeth to hook your elastics onto — always follow this configuration precisely.
How to put your elastics on
Wash your hands thoroughly before handling your elastics
Hook the elastic onto the upper hook first — this is usually a hook on a bracket or a hook on the archwire
Stretch the elastic down and hook it onto the lower hook as indicated (or the other way around, whichever is more comfortable)
Check that the elastic is seated correctly on both hooks and is not twisted
If you are finding it difficult to hook the elastic, a small plastic elastic placer / aligner removal tool can make the process much easier
When to wear your elastics
Wear your elastics full time — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — unless your dentist has specifically instructed otherwise
Remove elastics only for eating and brushing — replace with a fresh pair immediately after
Wear elastics while sleeping — nighttime hours are some of the most valuable treatment hours. Never skip them
Changing your elastics
Change your elastics at least once a day — or every time you eat
Elastics lose their elasticity and force over time — an elastic that has been worn for more than a day is not providing effective force and needs to be replaced
Always use fresh elastics from your supply — never reuse an elastic that has been removed
If an elastic breaks during the day, replace it immediately with a fresh one — do not wait until your next meal or bedtime
Always keep a good supply of elastics — carry a bag with you at school, work, and in your everyday bag so you are never caught without them
What to expect when you first start wearing elastics
Soreness and jaw muscle fatigue in the first 3–5 days is completely normal — your jaw muscles are working in a new way and need time to adapt
Take over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if needed in the first few days
The soreness resolves quickly with consistent wear — ironically, the more consistently you wear your elastics, the less sore your jaw will be. Taking them out for extended periods resets the soreness cycle every time you put them back in
Your bite may feel different when elastics are first introduced — this is expected and will stabilise as treatment progresses
Speech may feel slightly different initially — this settles quickly as your mouth adjusts
Common mistakes to avoid
❌ Wearing elastics inconsistently — taking them out for extended periods and then putting them back in. This starts and stops the force repeatedly and significantly slows treatment progress
❌ Skipping nights — nighttime is some of your most valuable wear time. Never skip it
❌ Reusing old elastics — once an elastic has been removed, discard it. Reused elastics have lost their force and harbour bacteria
❌ Wearing the wrong configuration — always follow your dentist’s instructions. The wrong hook combination applies force in the wrong direction
❌ Not replacing a broken elastic immediately — every hour without an elastic is an hour of lost treatment time
Elastic wear and treatment progress
This is the most important thing to understand about elastics — your compliance with elastic wear is one of the single biggest factors in how long your treatment takes.
Patients who wear their elastics exactly as prescribed progress on schedule. Patients who wear them inconsistently often find their treatment extended by months — sometimes significantly. Your teeth can only move when the force is being applied consistently and without interruption.
Your dentist will be able to tell at each appointment whether you have been wearing your elastics consistently — the bite changes speak for themselves. There is no need to feel embarrassed about this — just recommit to wearing them and get back on track.
Elastics and Aligners
If you are an Invisalign patient wearing elastics:
Hook your elastics onto the precision cuts in your aligners or onto the buttons or hooks bonded to your teeth — your dentist will show you the correct configuration
Always ensure your aligners are fully seated before attaching your elastics
Change your elastics every time you remove your aligners for eating and brushing — do not reuse the same elastic
If a precision cut tears or a button falls off, contact your dentist
Storing and carrying your elastics
Keep your elastics in a cool, dry place — heat and humidity degrade the rubber over time
Always carry a spare bag of elastics with you — in your school bag, handbag, desk drawer, and bedside table
Never leave home without elastics — running out is not a reason to stop wearing them. Contact your orthodontist's clinic to collect more or ask if they can be posted to you
Keep elastics away from direct sunlight and extreme heat
Signs to watch out for
Contact your dentist you experience:
Significant jaw joint pain — particularly clicking, locking, or sharp pain in the joint itself rather than general muscle soreness
Hooks or attachments becoming loose or coming off — do not continue wearing elastics if a hook has come loose as the force will be applied incorrectly
Confusion about the correct elastic configuration — always check with your orthodontist rather than guessing
Allergic reaction to the elastics — although rare, some patients may have a latex sensitivity. Latex-free elastics are available — please inform your orthodontist if you have a known latex allergy
💡 Dr Watt's tip: I tell all my elastic patients the same thing — elastics are the part of treatment that is entirely in your hands. Think of elastics as your contribution to your own treatment. The more you put in, the faster and better the result. Wear them every single day, change them every single day 😊
