Types of braces bands

While metal braces correct the alignment of your teeth, orthodontic rubber bands are used to correct the alignment of your bite and jaw. These bands span across both the top and bottom arches. For this reason, they are aptly called interarch rubber bands.

Class II Elastics are rubber bands that go from upper the canine/vampire tooth to the lower molar (the last tooth with a bracket). Class II Elastics are used to treat Class II Malocclusion.

Ligatures are the rubber bands that appear interwoven into each bracket; they come in all sorts of different colors and can be a fun form of self-expression. These work to keep the archwire in place through the bracket, but can also help move your teeth.

Orthodontists generally use 12-16 oz elastics (3/16″) in extraction cases or 2× 6 oz elastics on either side of the mouth (3/16″), but in non extraction cases 16-20 oz elastics (3/16″) or 2× 8 oz elastics are used.

Yes, the thickness does affect the distance because rubber bands that are thick are harder to stretch then a thin rubber band. Rubber bands that are thicker are harder to stretch, which in my prediction might have a shorter distance.

The final part of braces is called orthodontic elastics. This is a rubber band that fits around a bracket in the upper arch and connects to a bracket in the lower arch of your mouth. Having this connection between both arches allows the upper teeth to move in relation to the lower teeth.