ELASTICS IN ORTHODONTICS
Guided by
Presented by
Dr. Surabhi Saxena (JR1)
Department of orthodontics
and dentofacial orthopaedics
Dr. Anil K. Chandna
Dr. DK Agarwal
Dr. Preeti Bhattacharya
Dr. Ankur Gupta
Dr. Ravi Bhandari
Dr. Shivani Singh
 CONTENTS

• Introduction
• History of elastics and elastomerics
• Terminology
• Classification
• Natural versus synthetic
• Analysis of elastic force
 INTRODUCTION

• Elastics and Elastomeric are routinely used as a active

component of orthodontic therapy. Elastics have the ability to
correct both Antero-posterior and vertical discrepancies. The
latex elastics were first discussed by Calvin. S. case in 1893 at
the Columbia dental congress but the credit goes to Henry A.
Baker for the use of these elastics in clinical practice to exert a
class II intermaxillary forces. Both natural rubber and
synthetic elastomers are widely used in orthodontic therapy.
 HISTORY OF ELASTICS AND
ELASTOMERICS
• Elastomer is a general term that encompasses materials that,
after substantial deformation, rapidly return to their original
dimensions.
• Natural rubber was the first known elastomer, used by the
ancient Incan and Mayan civilizations.
• It had limited use because of its unfavorable temperature
behavior and water absorption properties.
• With the advent of vulcanization by Charles Goodyear in
1839, uses for natural rubber greatly increased.
• Early advocates of using natural latex rubber in orthodontics
were Baker, Case, and Angle.
 TERMINOLOGY

• Force: It is defined as an act upon a body that changes or tends

to change the state of rest or the motion of that body. It is
measured in units of grams or ounce.

• Elastic: It is defined as the ability of a substance to return to

its original length or shape after being stretched.

• Elasticity: The property of a substance that enables it to

change its length, volume, or shape in direct response to a
force affecting such a change and recover its original form
upon the removal of the force.
• Elastic limit: The elastic limit is the maximum stress that a
material can endure without undergoing permanent
deformation.

• Elastic modulus or modulus of elasticity: When a material is

stressed it is usually found that the stress is proportional to the
strain, so their ratio is constant. In other words, the material
deforms linearly and elastically. This can be represented by the
expression E = stress/strain.

• Resilience: (stored or spring energy) Resilience represents the

energy storage capacity of a wire. It is stressed not to exceed its
proportional limit.
• Plasticity: It is the property by which a material can be
molded into various forms and then hardened for commercial
use.

• Relaxation: It is defined as a decrease in force value carried or

transmitted over time with the element maintained in a fixed
activated state of constant strain.

• Vulcanization: The process of heating sulfur–rubber mixtures

is known as vulcanization
– 1 ounce (oz) = 28.35 gm.
 CLASSIFICATION OF ELASTICS

A. According to use
1. Intra-oral
2. Extra-oral
B. According to force values
1. Light (2 OZ)- 56.7 g
2. Medium light (3.5 OZ)- 128 g
3. Medium heavy (5 OZ)- 141.8 g
4. Heavy (6.5 OZ)- 184 g
5. Extra heavy (8 OZ)- 226.8 g
C. According to lumen size
1. 2/16’’= 3.18 mm
2. 3/16’’ = 4.76 mm
3. 4/16’’ = 6.35 mm
4. 5/16’’ = 7.94 mm
5. 6/16’’ = 9.5 mm
6. 8/16’’ = 12.7 mm
7. 10/16’’ = 15.8 mm
8. 12/16’’ = 19.1 mm
D. According to their use/ placement in the arches
1. Class I/ intra-arch/ intramaxillary
2. Inter-arch or inter-maxillary
A. Class II
B. Class III
3. Cross elastics
4. Vertical elastics
5. M elastics
6. W elastics
7. Box elastics
8. Cross palate elastic
9. Diagonal elastic
10. Open bite elastic
11. Triangular elastic
12. Lingual elastic
13. Check elastic
14. Slingshot elastic
15. Elastic in removable appliance
E. According to colour
A. Purple 1/8”
B. Green 3/8”
C. Red 1/8”, 1/4’’
D. Blue 1/4”
E. Orange 3/8”
F. Yellow 5/16”
F. According to material
1. Latex
2. Synthetic
G. Other elastics
3. Asymmetrical
4. Finishing
 NATURAL VERSUS SYNTHETIC

• Limitation of natural rubber

– sensitivity to the effects of ozone or sunlight,
– swelling and staining is due to the filling of the voids of the
matrix by fluids and bacterial debris.
• Synthetic polymers are also very sensitive to the effects of
free radicals generating systems,
• Added antioxidents and antiozonates- extend the shelf life of
elastomerics.
• Elastomeric materials swell less than the latex material.
 ANALYSIS OF ELASTIC FORCE

• The stress produced depends on the site of application,

distribution through the periodontal ligament and direction,
length, diameter and contour of root, alveolar process, tooth
rotation and health, age and above all the co-operation of the
patient.
• CL I elastic traction is judiciously combined with strong
anchor bend.
• Deliberate consideration of anchorage conservation is essential
• Intermaxillary elastic force exerts pressure on the incisor in a
vertical direction bringing them into supraocclusion or
accentuating supraocclusion already present.
• Tilting of anchor teeth may also occur.
• Elastic force received by the molars and anteriors are equal
and opposite, the resistance is not equal, so the crown
tipping is relatively rapid and bodily movements are slow.
• Continuous force- rapid intrusive movement.
• Anterior tooth will intrude by a force- 20 to 30 gms.
• Light force- short hyalinization periods.
• Greater elastic force- both crown and root may tip. It may
upright the molar but imparting little or no net distal
movement.
• The different amounts of elastics forces, can bring about
tooth movement for problems ranging from CL II extraction
cases to CL I non extraction cases.
THANK YOU