Natural latex does not fall into the category of materials known to be entirely inoffensive. The objective of the present in vitro study is to test the hypothesis that there is no difference in the cytotoxicity between natural latex elastics of different colours. The present article compared different latex intra-oral elastics (5/16 = 7.9 mm). The sample was divided into four groups according t...

The use of elastics in dentistry is not a new development. One of the earliest applications of elastics in dentistry was to extract teeth in patients with bleeding disorders (eg, hemophilia, purpura), cardiac problems, ormental deficiency. Thepractitioner simply placeda rubber band around the tooth to be extracted; because of the shape of the teeth, the rubber band slowly worked its way up or d...

The aim of this case report is to describe the treatment of a patient with skeletal Class III malocclusion with maxillary retrognathia using skeletal anchorage devices and intermaxillary elastics. Miniplates were inserted between the mandibular lateral incisor and canine teeth on both sides in a male patient aged 14 years 5 months. Self-drilling mini-implants (1.6 mm diameter, 10 mm length) wer...

The use of elastics to close a diastema or correct tooth malpositions can create unintended consequences if not properly controlled. The American Association of Orthodontists recently issued a consumer alert, warning of "a substantial risk for irreparable damage" from a new trend called "do-it-yourself" orthodontics, consisting of patients autonomously using elastics to correct tooth position. ...

The orthodontic treatment of an adult patient with a skeletal Class III malocclusion, increased anterior facial height, negative overjet, and bilateral posterior crossbite is presented. Treatment options included mandibular first premolar or third molar extractions with dentoalveolar compensation or combined surgical-orthodontic treatment. Mandibular third molar extraction with dentoalveolar co...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relative effects of Class II elastics applied directly with utility arches (UAs) or with the Reciprocal Mini-Chin Cup (RMCC) appliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty patients with Class II division 1 malocclusion were included. Fifteen of them were treated with the RMCC appliance and the other 15 treated with Class II elastics on UAs. Lateral cephalograms of an additi...

BACKGOUND This study cephalometrically evaluated the posterior teeth angulation changes of anterior open-bite non-extraction and extraction treatment in the permanent dentition, with anterior vertical elastics. METHODS The sample consisted of initial and final lateral headfilms of 60 patients divided into 2 groups: Group 1 consisted of 30 patients treated with non-extraction with an initial m...