Spacers, also called separators, are small rubber rings placed between your back teeth for about one to two weeks before braces. They open just enough room for the metal bands that anchor the archwire to slide around your molars.
What are orthodontic spacers?
Spacers are one of the simplest appliances we use, and one of the shortest-lived. As our orthodontic appliances page describes them, separators are small rubber bands that create the space needed for braces to be placed. They are temporary and are worn for only about one to two weeks before active treatment begins.
Most spacers are small elastic rings, roughly the size of a pencil eraser in diameter, stretched and slipped between two neighboring teeth so they sit just below the contact point. Not every patient needs them. Whether you do depends on how tightly your back teeth touch and on the design of your treatment plan.
Why are spacers needed before braces?
With braces, a metal band is often placed around the back molars to anchor the archwires in place. Bands fit like a snug ring around the tooth. If the molars sit too close together, there is no gap for the band to pass through. A spacer gently presses the teeth apart over several days, opening a sliver of room so the band can be fitted comfortably at the next visit.
Bands are also used with several of the other appliances on our appliance page, such as the rapid palatal expander, the Nance appliance and the lower lingual holding arch, which all use metal bands around the molars. So spacers can come before those appliances, too, not only before braces.
How are spacers placed?
Placement takes a few minutes and involves no needles or drilling. The rubber ring is stretched, usually with a small instrument or two loops of floss, and worked down between the teeth with a gentle rocking motion until it seats below the contact. Most people feel pressure as it slides into place, then a sense that something is wedged between the teeth.
You will usually go home the same day with a short set of instructions, and come back in about one to two weeks. At that visit the spacers come out, the bands are fitted, and treatment can begin.
Do spacers hurt?
Spacers are more of a pressure than a pain for most people. The first day or two is usually the most noticeable, because the teeth are being pushed apart slightly. It can feel like food is stuck between your molars, and chewing on that side may feel tender. The feeling usually fades as the teeth adjust.
The same advice we give for the first week with braces applies here. An over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol can ease soreness, and softer foods help while the teeth settle. Our first week with braces tips are a good preview of what comes next.
What can you eat with spacers?
Spacers are easy to pull out by accident, so the rules are similar to the ones for braces. Our life with braces guide lists the foods that cause the most trouble.
| Go ahead | Skip until the spacers are out | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pasta, rice, soup, mashed potatoes | Gum, caramel, taffy, Starburst | Sticky foods can grab the ring and pull it loose |
| Soft chicken, meatballs, lunch meats | Bagels, hard rolls, Twizzlers | Heavy chewing on the back teeth dislodges spacers |
| Bananas, cooked vegetables, yogurt | Nuts, ice, popcorn, hard candy | Hard pieces can wedge in and push the spacer out |
Brush normally, including around the spacers, but do not floss the contacts that hold a spacer, because floss can pop it out. Avoid picking at them with fingers or toothpicks.
What if a spacer falls out?
It happens. A spacer that comes out early may simply mean the space has already opened, but that is for us to judge. Do not try to put it back in yourself. Call the office so we can decide whether it needs replacing before your banding appointment. If you think a spacer has slipped down under the gum, or the area becomes swollen or painful, call us promptly. Our emergency orthodontist page covers what to do between visits.
What happens after spacers come out?
Once the spacers are removed, the bands are fitted around the molars and the rest of your braces are placed. Your back teeth may feel slightly loose or tender for a few days, which is normal. From there, you will typically visit every 6 to 8 weeks for check-ins and adjustments, as described on our metal braces page.
How can you make the spacer week easier?
A few small habits make the week between spacers and bands far more comfortable. None of them are complicated, and most patients only need them for the first two or three days.
- Plan softer meals for the first couple of days, such as pasta, soup, eggs and smoothies.
- Chew on the side with fewer spacers, or cut food into small pieces.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if your molars feel sore, following the label.
- Rinse with warm salt water if the gums around a spacer feel irritated.
- Resist the urge to poke at the spacers with your tongue, fingers or a toothpick.
- Keep your banding appointment; spacers are timed to come out on schedule.
If soreness gets worse instead of better after the first few days, or you notice swelling, call the office. That is not typical, and we would rather check it than have you wait.
What happens at the banding appointment?
At the next visit, the spacers come out and the molars are checked to make sure enough room has opened. Each band is then fitted around its molar, cemented in place, and the rest of the braces are bonded to the front teeth. If your plan includes an appliance like a palatal expander, the bands that anchor it are fitted the same way.
Many patients are surprised by how quick this part is. Because our records are taken with the TRIOS intraoral scanner and, for many patients, custom 3D-printed brackets are designed in advance, the appointment is focused on placing what has already been planned. Custom brackets with indirect bonding help us place each bracket accurately, which supports precise tooth movement and fewer adjustments later on.
Frequently asked questions about spacers
How long do spacers stay in?
About one to two weeks, until the banding appointment. They are not meant to stay longer than your orthodontist plans.
Does everyone need spacers before braces?
No. Spacers are only needed when the back teeth are too tight for bands, or when a banded appliance is part of the plan. Dr. Battle will tell you at your consultation.
Can I brush and floss with spacers?
Brush as normal. Floss your other teeth, but skip the contacts that hold a spacer so you do not pull it out.
Is it normal for my teeth to feel loose after spacers?
A little looseness is expected because the teeth have been moved apart slightly. It settles once the bands are on and treatment starts.
Wondering what your treatment would involve? Book a complimentary consultation and we will map out every step before anything goes on your teeth.
