Rubber band self ligating braces
Self-ligating braces use brackets with built-in doors, while elastic bands may guide the bite between selected upper and lower teeth.
The short answer
Self-ligating braces hold the archwire with a built-in clip or sliding door instead of a separate elastic tie, but orthodontic rubber bands can still be used for bite correction.
How does the clip hold the archwire in place?
The bracket clip secures the archwire in its slot. Interarch elastics attach to hooks on upper and lower brackets and apply a directed force to the jaws or teeth, depending on the prescribed pattern.
How should you wear and care for orthodontic elastics?
Wear elastics exactly in the pattern and schedule given by the orthodontist, replace them as instructed, and keep the brackets and gumline clean. Do not double the elastics or invent a new attachment pattern.
When should a broken bracket or painful elastic be checked?
Contact the orthodontic team if a bracket, hook, or wire breaks, if an elastic causes persistent tissue injury, or if pain does not settle after an adjustment. Seek urgent help for facial trauma or breathing difficulty.
What should you ask about elastic patterns and adjustment visits?
Ask what the elastic pattern is correcting, how often it should be changed, what to do after a missed wear period, and whether the bracket system changes your expected adjustment plan.
Frequently asked questions
Do self-ligating braces eliminate rubber bands?
No. The bracket clip replaces elastic ligatures around the archwire, while separate interarch elastics may still be needed for the bite.
Can I use stronger elastics?
No. Elastic strength and placement are part of the force system; changing them can move teeth in an unintended direction.
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Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.