YOUR ELASTICS
During orthodontic treatment, elastics may be necessary. Consistent elastic wear is crucial to successfully finish treatment as we planned.
Unless otherwise told, elastics should be worn 24 hours per day including while sleeping. They should be changed twice a day, usually at breakfast and supper because they will lose their stretch over time. They may also be removed briefly to eat lunch, but you must remember to put them back in.
Please call or email us if you have any questions about how your elastics should be worn, or if you require additional bags of elastics.
TYPES OF ELASTICS
Type 1 elastics are worn on the top or bottom. They usually connect from the back molar hook to a hook on the wire.
TYPE 1 ELASTICS
TYPE 2 ELASTICS
Type 2 elastics usually connect from the lower back molar hook to a hook on the front upper tooth.
TYPE 3 ELASTICS
Type 3 elastics usually connect from the upper back molar hook to a hook on a lower front tooth.
TRIANGLE ELASTICS
TYPE 2
Type 2 triangle elastics usually connect from the lower back molar to a hook on the front upper tooth (see Type 2) But they will also go to a hook on another lower tooth to form a triangle.
TRIANGLE ELASTICS TYPE 3
Type 3 triangle elastics usually connect from the upper back molar to a hook on the lower tooth (see Type 3) But they will also go to a hook on another upper tooth to form a triangle.
DELTA ELASTICS
Delta elastics usually connect from an upper tooth to the two teeth below forming a triangle.
REVERSE DELTA ELASTICS
Reverse delta elastics usually connect from a lower tooth to the two teeth above forming a triangle.
CARRIERE ELASTICS
Carriere elastics connect from lower back molar tooth to the upper front hook of the Carriere appliance.
SLINGSHOT ELASTICS
Slingshot Elastics may look tricky, but with a little practice, you will become proficient in changing your elastics.
Slingshot elastics are used for moving a tooth forward to the wire. Often when it is in crossbite.
Orthodontic elastics - Slingshot
Orthodontic elastics - Slingshot
HAVING TROUBLE?
This one is a bit trickier. Check out these step-by-step photo instructions for a better look!
