Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSingle LigaturesConnected LigaturesWire LigaturesColored Ligatures
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Single Ligatures
Connected Ligatures
Wire Ligatures
Colored Ligatures
Elastic ligatures are the rubber bands onorthodontic braces. Their main purpose is to keep the archwire (the wire between each tooth) firmly slotted in position on the bracket of each individual tooth. Depending on how they are used, elastic ligatures can also provide tension that helps move a tooth in the desired direction.
Elastic ligatures come both in rubber and metal as well as a variety of fashion colors. They are routinely inspected, adjusted, or replaced at each and every orthodontic check-up.
This article describes the types of elastic ligatures commonly used in dentistry as well as their distinct purposes.
The Purpose of Elastic Ligatures on Braces
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Single Elastic Ligatures
Single elastic ligatures come in one uniform size and are applied around each bracket on each tooth. They can be tightened or loosened according to the level of force needed to direct the movement of a tooth. Depending on how the elastic is tied to a tooth, varying degrees of tension can be exerted.
Single elastic ligatures gradually lose their strength over time and are commonly changed with each check-up appointment.
Connected Elastic Ligatures
Connected elastic ligatures are stronger than single elastic ligatures and may not need to be changed at each appointment.
Stainless steel wire ligatures are used in the same way as their elastic counterparts but provide substantially greater force between the bracket and tooth.
When your orthodontist straightens a tooth that is twisted or turned, the archwire must remain securely in the slot of the bracket. A wire ligature is the preferred choice for this because it allows the orthodontist to keep the archwire securely tied into the bracket slot while exerting substantial opposing force to straighten the tooth.
Colored Elastic Ligatures
Colored elastic ligatures can offer a fun fashion statement for kids (or adults). People who want something more discreet may opt for silver or clear elastics. If you have sport metal (silver) braces, a corresponding silver or gray color can be requested from your orthodontist.
With that said, clear elastic ligatures, while discreet, can easily stain if you drink coffee, tea, or soda or eat colored foods like beets, blueberries, or licorice.On the other hand, grey or silver elastics blend in well with the metal braces and generally don’t stain the same way that clear elastics do.
Kids, meanwhile, can enjoy any number of rainbow colors that can be applied individually to each tooth.
Foods to Avoid When You Have Braces
A Word From Verywell
if an elastic ligature becomes loose, breaks, or pops off between check-ups. call your orthodontist’s office.Describe what happened, and they should be able to tell you whether you need to come in immediately or can wait for your next appointment.
Whatever you do, don’t let the problem go unaddressed. A break of just a few elastics could undermine the carefully planned changes to your teeth and jawline.
Managing Loose Orthodontic Bands
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Miranda AGF, de Godoi APT, de Menezes CC, Filho MV, Venezian GC.The influence of elastomeric ligatures pigmentation on smile aesthetics during orthodontic treatment.Dental Press J Orthod.2021;26(2):e2119199. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.26.2.e2119199.oarReichardt E, Decker S, Dalstra M, et al.The effect of ligature type on lateral tooth movement during orthodontic treatment with lingual appliances—an in vitro study.Materials (Basel).2022 May;15(9):3365. doi:10.3390/ma15093365Nakhael S, Agahi RH, Aminian A, Rezaeizadeh M.Discoloration and force degradation of orthodontic elastomeric ligatures.Dental Press J Orthod.2017 Mar-Apr;22(2):45–54. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.22.2.045-054.oarCanadian Association of Orthodontists.Orthodontic emergencies.Additional ReadingAmerican Dental Association.Braces.ArchWired. What Are Power Chains?
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Miranda AGF, de Godoi APT, de Menezes CC, Filho MV, Venezian GC.The influence of elastomeric ligatures pigmentation on smile aesthetics during orthodontic treatment.Dental Press J Orthod.2021;26(2):e2119199. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.26.2.e2119199.oarReichardt E, Decker S, Dalstra M, et al.The effect of ligature type on lateral tooth movement during orthodontic treatment with lingual appliances—an in vitro study.Materials (Basel).2022 May;15(9):3365. doi:10.3390/ma15093365Nakhael S, Agahi RH, Aminian A, Rezaeizadeh M.Discoloration and force degradation of orthodontic elastomeric ligatures.Dental Press J Orthod.2017 Mar-Apr;22(2):45–54. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.22.2.045-054.oarCanadian Association of Orthodontists.Orthodontic emergencies.Additional ReadingAmerican Dental Association.Braces.ArchWired. What Are Power Chains?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Miranda AGF, de Godoi APT, de Menezes CC, Filho MV, Venezian GC.The influence of elastomeric ligatures pigmentation on smile aesthetics during orthodontic treatment.Dental Press J Orthod.2021;26(2):e2119199. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.26.2.e2119199.oarReichardt E, Decker S, Dalstra M, et al.The effect of ligature type on lateral tooth movement during orthodontic treatment with lingual appliances—an in vitro study.Materials (Basel).2022 May;15(9):3365. doi:10.3390/ma15093365Nakhael S, Agahi RH, Aminian A, Rezaeizadeh M.Discoloration and force degradation of orthodontic elastomeric ligatures.Dental Press J Orthod.2017 Mar-Apr;22(2):45–54. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.22.2.045-054.oarCanadian Association of Orthodontists.Orthodontic emergencies.
Miranda AGF, de Godoi APT, de Menezes CC, Filho MV, Venezian GC.The influence of elastomeric ligatures pigmentation on smile aesthetics during orthodontic treatment.Dental Press J Orthod.2021;26(2):e2119199. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.26.2.e2119199.oar
Reichardt E, Decker S, Dalstra M, et al.The effect of ligature type on lateral tooth movement during orthodontic treatment with lingual appliances—an in vitro study.Materials (Basel).2022 May;15(9):3365. doi:10.3390/ma15093365
Nakhael S, Agahi RH, Aminian A, Rezaeizadeh M.Discoloration and force degradation of orthodontic elastomeric ligatures.Dental Press J Orthod.2017 Mar-Apr;22(2):45–54. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.22.2.045-054.oar
Canadian Association of Orthodontists.Orthodontic emergencies.
American Dental Association.Braces.ArchWired. What Are Power Chains?
American Dental Association.Braces.
ArchWired. What Are Power Chains?
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