“How long do you wear rubber bands for braces?”

That depends on how large a correction is needed and how compliant you are with wear. Excellent compliance = approximately 1mm/ month of correction.

It all depends on the severity of the problem that is being corrected by the rubber bands. Typically, if rubber bands are worn full time, 20-22hrs/day, an adult can expect about a 1/2mm correction/month. So, if your bad bite needs a 4mm correction, typically, you would need to wear your elastics about 8 months. After the bite is corrected, more rubber bands, finishing elastics, may be needed to help settle your bite into place for about 2-4 months, as needed. Call your local orthodontist for an exam to see if you would need rubber bands to correct your bad bite.

Daniel A. Flores, DDS, MS

The length of time that one has to wear elastics as part of their orthodontic treatment varies depending on how much bite correction is needed to finish the case. Elastics are used to help finish the bite to where all the teeth function properly with each other. The length of time to wear elastics can vary from 1 month to one year or more depending on the severity of the original malocclusion.

Sincerely,

Robert E. Sims D.M.D, M.S.D.

To minimize the time you have to wear rubber bands, wear them 24/7 when your orthodontist tells you to do so. Each treatment is different. Some might need it for the entirety of the treatment, while others might not need it at all.