Rubber Bands with Invisalign: Is it Too Late in the Process?

Question

I am currently on my 18th or 23rd set of aligners and i am an overbite. my orthodontist has not suggested or mentioned the use of rubber bands with the invisalign teen treatment but i was wondering if i can ask them about it and have then put rubber bands in. i am really dissatisfied with my bite right now. is it possible to add them so late into the treatment??

Jacqueline Demko, DDS, MSD · Answer

Good news! It is never too late to begin rubber bands. If you do Invisalign retainers you could even do some in your retainers. You definitely should be expressing your feelings/concerns to your Orthodontist. Hopefully you went to an Orthodontist and not a General Dentist who does Invisalign. A General Dentist will be less experienced in addressing you described bite concern.

	The only remaining thing I can add to the great responses above is if you have gotten good wear with your trays and want additional movement including bite change speak to you orthodontists about "refinement" it gives you and your doctor the opportunity to get additional trays for additional correction.

	Keep the faith and communicate openly with your orthodontists.

R. William McNeill, DDS, MS · Answer

It is very common to use rubber bands with Invisalign treatment. While they can be added at any time, it is generally advisable to begin their use in the very early stages so that they have the maximum period of time to do their work. I suggest you check with your orthodontist about the treatment plan and whether or not rubber band use was anticipated. And of course it is easy to include rubber bands if either mid-course corredtion or refinement is to be done to complete your treatment.

Brian Povolny, DDS, PhD · Answer

In answer to your question about elastics, it is never too late to use them and you should ask your orthodontist about them.  Also discuss your ideas about your bite.  Explain your concerns and ask if elastics will address them.  Sometimes what patients call "overbite" may be an excessive vertical overlap of the front teeth and this is not amenable to correction with just elastics.

Gabriela Hricko, DDS · Answer

It is possible to add elastics at any point in time in the invisalign treatment by cutting slits into the aligners, if the precision attachment cuts aren't already there yet. I would recommend speaking with your orthodontist as elastics can be used many different ways and off different teeth,  depending on what bite correction is needed.

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS · Answer

The new G-3 system automatically makes cuts on the aligners for elastics but if they where not requested then all you have to do is custom cut each aligner seperately.  The bigger question is how severe is your overbite and how long you would have to wear the elastics to correct it.  Adults, who are not growing, are much harder to correct than kids.

Rubber Bands with Invisalign: Is it Too Late in the Process?

Answers (5)

Answer: Invisalign and elastics

Answer: Invisalign and elastics

Answer: Can I add rubber bands at the end of Invisalign treatment

Answer: Can I add rubber bands at the end of Invisalign treatment

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.

Rubber Bands with Invisalign: Is it Too Late in the Process?

Answers (5)

Answer: Invisalign and elastics

Answer: Invisalign and elastics

Answer: Can I add rubber bands at the end of Invisalign treatment

Answer: Can I add rubber bands at the end of Invisalign treatment

Browse related questions

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.