Top and bottom braces with rubber bands
Top and bottom braces use brackets, archwires, and elastic bands to move teeth and coordinate the upper and lower bites.
What is the direct answer?
Top and bottom braces use brackets, archwires, and elastic bands to move teeth and coordinate the upper and lower bites.
What does this question mean?
Fixed braces attach brackets to teeth in both arches and connect them with shaped metal archwires. Interarch rubber bands run between hooks on the upper and lower braces to guide jaw relationships or specific tooth movements.
What can you do next?
Wear elastics in the pattern and schedule prescribed, replace them as directed, and keep them available when away from home. Brush around brackets and under the wire, use interdental brushes, and avoid hard or sticky foods that can loosen attachments.
When should you seek dental care?
Your orthodontist should review fit and tooth movement at scheduled adjustment visits. Call sooner if a wire is cutting the cheek, a bracket is loose, or an elastic causes unusual pain, swelling, or numbness.
What should you ask the dentist?
They mainly apply a controlled force between upper and lower teeth; their effect depends on growth, bite anatomy, wear pattern, and the orthodontist’s design.
Frequently asked questions
Do rubber bands move the jaws?
They mainly apply a controlled force between upper and lower teeth; their effect depends on growth, bite anatomy, wear pattern, and the orthodontist’s design.
What happens at the examination?
The dentist reviews the history, examines the mouth, and selects tests or images that match the symptom or treatment decision.