I have been in braces for quite some time. Why do I have to wear rubberbands now?

When you are getting close to the end of your treatment and your teeth are all straight, the orthodontist is looking at how your teeth meet together when you bite down.  Your teeth should fit down together kind of like a puzzle.  So to close any spaces when biting down, the orthodontist may have you wear elastics (rubberbands) in a triangle.  To make sure the center of your teeth (midline) line up, the orthodontist may have you wear a diagonal elastic in the front.  To make sure your molars meet right, you may need to wear elastic on one or both sides of your mouth.  Your assistant will make sure you know how to putThese only work when a patient wears them 24/7.  This will determine how quickly you get your braces off... so JUST DO IT!  :)