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PRO-TIES .110 CLEAR  E-mail this product to a friend

Elastomeric ligatures are the quickest, most comfortable way to tie archwires to the bracket slot. Elastomeric ligatures come in gray, tooth-colored, clear, and an assortment of bright colors (kids love these!). The gray elastomeric ligatures are used on metal brackets and may be placed with a Mathieu plier or fast alastic placement instrument. Less debonding due to stress is exerted with the Fast Alastic placer, when compared to a hemostat. To increase efficiency, an assistant can be loading additional positioners to pass to the operator. Silver elastomerics are supplied in sizes: .120 and .110, with .120 being the largest and .110 being the smallest in diameter. For extended appointment intervals of 8-10 weeks, elastomeric ties are not good, since they lose elasticity in 1-4 weeks. Steel ties do not need to be replaced at each 8-10 week visit unless they become loose, whereas all elastomeric ties need to be changed at each appointment. For this reason, steel ties are more efficient in a system (IP) where there are fewer archwire changes and longer appointment intervals, even if the steel ties take longer to initially place. When using colored elastomerics, 3-4 week intervals are needed to keep them fresh, the appointment being an NTD (Nothing for the doctor To Do) appointment. .120 Silver elastomerics (catalog #040-005) are larger and may be used to passively hold the archwire in place. Use 120 ligatures when attempting figure 8 elastic ties. .110 Silver elastomerics (catalog #040-004) give a tighter tie of the archwire to the bracket, and should especially be used when rectangular wire is being used for torque control. If using elastomerics for rotation correction on nitie wires, the elastomerics will be the weakest link, so our clinicians generally use steel ligature ties to deflect nitie wires into rotated brackets. On stainless steel wire, which will not deflect into brackets placed on rotated teeth, the elastomeric force may be the only method to gain engagement of the archwire into the bracket slot. 110 elastomerics may be used on all sized brackets, with the exception that they may be too small for application on molar brackets (converted tubes). Clear Elastomeric Ligatures have excellent esthetics when initially placed on ceramic brackets, but tend to discolor rapidly. This discoloration has been the primary cause of complaints when using cosmetic appliances. Some may think the ceramic brackets are discolored, when it is actually the elastomeric material that is causing that effect. When using clear elastomerics, supplied in .120 and .110 sizes, we recommend selling the patient a Fast Alastic Positioner and instructing them on how to change the elastomerics at home. Patients will typically change clear elastomerics every seven days (catalog #040-006 to 040-007). Trees of elastomerics are excellent for use on tray set-ups.