The "rubber bands" are known as elastics and they put further pressure and move the teeth in a slightly different direction which the wires (called the archwire) on their own wouldn't be able to do.

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Added on December 15, 2008, 2:19 pmBy the way, the Government clinics charge RM 750 for braces

This post has been edited by kristy: Dec 15 2008, 02:19 PM