The more we can see, the more uncomfortable we are.īut some people don't need all of these elastic types. Researchers say most people like braces with very little metal. If you have all of these bands filling your mouth at once, people may see very little metal when you smile. Power chains: If your smile is marred by several gaps (including those caused by pulled or missing teeth), your orthodontist might use long, twisted sets of rubber bands called power chains to add to the pulling power and close up the space.You can take these bands off to eat and brush, but they should stay on throughout most of your day.

Your doctor might stretch some from your upper jaws to the lower to pull your bite into alignment.

Rubber bands: A few of your brackets are customized with hooks for larger bands.

You can't remove these bands at home, but each time you visit your doctor, you'll get a new set. Wires connect all of your brackets, and that band keeps the wire in place.

Ligatures: Brackets affixed to the front of your teeth have a gap just wide enough for a tiny band.

Your orthodontist might use one or all three of these elastic forms during your treatment plan:

Many people had no idea that their path to a perfect smile might involve something loose and rubbery. If you're surprised at the idea of using latex with your braces, you're not alone. So experiment, and choose a different color each time to spice up your smile. Each time you visit your orthodontist, you'll get new bands. You're not stuck with the same color throughout your treatment journey. But food often takes on these colors, and your bands can look like items trapped in your teeth.

Or pick out a hue that works well with an outfit you're wearing to a wedding or important dance. If you're fair, a warm color might be better for you. Bright colors look great in people with darker skin. And bright, white bands can make your teeth look darker too. Are your teeth gleaming white? Or are they closer to yellow? Choose yellow bands, and your teeth will look even more discolored. Do you drink a lot of coffee and tea? Are blueberries and pomegranates your favorite fruits? Light-colored bands can pick up stains from the items you eat and drink. If you have a hue that calls to you, chances are, your orthodontist can apply it to your teeth.īut if you don't have a favorite color, think about: Researchers say that both men and women often choose blue as their favorite color. In fact, your orthodontist might show you a wheel of colors that looks a lot like something you'd see inside the paint department at the hardware store. Bands come in almost every color you can think of.

Fair skin braces colors wheel