If you’ve pursued orthodontic treatment, chances are you have seen or heard about elastic bands (also called rubber bands) used to help move teeth in some cases. These bands can be clear or colorful and help orthodontists correct misaligned bites and properly position teeth in combination with traditional braces.

But how exactly do elastic bands help move your teeth? Let’s take a closer look at how these bands can accelerate orthodontic treatment and help shift your teeth into place for a gorgeous smile as the final result.

An article by Dr. Quoc Lu. Originally published by Your Dental Health Resource.