It is rare that we see a patient with braces who doesn’t need to wear rubber bands at some point in their treatment. Rubber bands work in conjunction with braces. With braces, we are able to straighten the teeth independently of one another but it is the rubber band that helps us fit them together.
General Instructions
Wearing rubber bands will initially make your teeth sore. This soreness will go away after a couple of days of continuous wear. Giving your teeth a “break” from the rubber band will only make them feel sore again the next time you wear them.
Consistent rubber band wear is one of the most critical determinants of whether treatment is completed on time. Wear your rubber bands 24/7, unless otherwise instructed. The only times that you are allowed to take them off are during main meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We do not recommend taking them off for small snacks. The following video shows the relapse of teeth if you do not wear your rubber band as instructed.
Ortho Rubber Bands
Rubber bands will lose their elasticity after six hours of wear; therefore you need to replace them four times a day. We highly encourage the following routine:
Change them after you brush and floss your teeth following each main meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and once before you go to bed. Replace your rubber bands immediately once they break. Always carry a spare bag with you at all times. If you run low on your rubber bands, let us know and we will provide you more.
Vertical on U3 - L3, 4
This pattern helps to grow teeth together. Wear the rubber band from the hook on the upper canine to the hooks on the lower canine and the first premolar.
Triangle Rubber Bands
Class 2 Rubber Bands
Class 2 Straight on U3 - L6
This pattern helps to correct the overbite (overjet). Wear the rubber band from the hook on the upper canine to the hook on the lower first molar.
Class 2 Box on U3 - L4, 5
This pattern helps to correct the overbite (overjet) and grow teeth together at the same time. Wear the rubber band from the hook on the upper canine to the hooks on the lower first and second premolar.
Class 2 Box on Upper 3 Lower 4, 5
Class 2 Box on U3, 4 – L4, 5
Class 2 Box on U3, 4 - L4, 5
This pattern helps to correct the overbite (overjet) and grow teeth together at the same time. Wear the rubber band from the hooks on the upper canine and first premolar to the hooks on the lower first and second premolars.
Class 2 Box U3 - L5, 6
This pattern helps to correct overbite (overjet) and grow teeth together at the same time. Wear the rubber band from the hook on the upper canine to the hooks on the lower second premolar and first molar.
Class 2 Box U3 – L5, 6
Class 3 Rubber Bands
Class 3 Straight on U6 - L3
This pattern helps to correct the underbite (crossbite). Wear the rubber band from the hook on the upper molar to the hook on the lower canine.
Class 3 Box on U4 - L3, 4
This pattern helps to correct the underbite (crossbite) and grow teeth together at the same time. Wear the rubber band from the hook on the upper first premolar to the hooks on the lower canine and first premolar.
Class 3 Box on U4 – L3, 4
Class 3 Box on U3, 4 – L3, 4
Class 3 Box on U3, 4 - L3, 4
This pattern helps to correct the underbite (crossbite) and grow teeth together at the same time. Wear the rubber band from the hooks on the upper canine and first premolar to the hooks on the lower canine and first premolar.
Cross on U6 - L6
This pattern helps to correct the relationship of the back teeth. Wear the rubber band from the hook on the tongue side of the upper molar to the hook on the cheek side of the lower molar.
Cross Rubber Bands
Midline U2 – L2
Midline U2 - L2
This pattern helps to correct the midline. Wear the rubber band from the hook on the upper lateral of one side to the hook on the lower lateral of the opposite side.
Front Box On U2s - L2s
This pattern helps to grow teeth together. Wear the rubber band from the hooks on the upper laterals to the hooks on the lower laterals.
