Why does one Invisalign elastic (rubber band) feel tighter than the other?

Question

I am on day 7 of my first tray of Invisalign. I have buttons and I wear elastics (rubber bands) for overbite. Yesterday I noticed a change in my bite where the right side of my top row aligns and closes properly but he left side does not close fully at all. Today I am feeling more tension on the right elastic than the left elastic. It feels as if I'm not even wearing an elastic on the left side. Is this normal? Could the rubber bands be changing my bite unevenly?

Jennifer S. Stachel, DMD · Answer

Dear BraceShake,Thank you for posting your question on Real Self. I will do my best to answer your question with the information given. I recommend continuing treatment as prescribed by your doctor and allow your teeth sometime to adjust. If it persists or you feel discomfort, schedule an appointment to address your concerns. There are multiple reasons why one side may feel tighter.I hope that this helps and good luck!Best,Dr. Jenn

Nelly Bezimyansky, DDS · Answer

I would recommend you  discuss this with your doctor, but in my experience the distance that teeth needing to be shifted by elastics could be different from one side to the other. This means that one rubber band feels tighter than the other.  There usually 2 sizes of elastics, if you are using the longer ones, then maybe worth switching to the tighter elastics on the left, and stay with same size on the right.  If these are  the smallest elastics, then don't worry, it's probably programmed that way and still moving as long as your trays are fitting good (tracking),  and you are wearing your trays and elastics 22 hrs /day.  Your doctor will check for you and confirm with ClinCheck movie simulation of your treatment.

Robert L. Knudson, DDS · Answer

Sounds like the correction is still not there on one side so likely will feel a little different.  The side that has not completed its movement will feel pressure and the side where the movement programmed into the aligner has happened will feel less if any.  Don't worry.  Keep wearing your rubber bands

Kenneth A. Barton, DDS · Answer

I am an Invisalign Premiere Elite provider with offices in Brooklyn. If the elastics which you were given were of a high grade, then the pull on both sides should be equal. Therefore, i recommend that you continue wearing these elastics for at least 2 sets of trays. If you still have  the same problem,  consult your orthodontist

Why does one Invisalign elastic (rubber band) feel tighter than the other?

Answers (4)

Answer: Brace shake

Answer: Brace shake

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Why does one Invisalign elastic (rubber band) feel tighter than the other?

Answers (4)

Answer: Brace shake

Answer: Brace shake

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.