March’s Tip

Another function of Elastomeric Ligature Ties is holding and/or condensing the remaining spaces.   The Elastomeric Ligature Ties are placed from the tie wing to the tie wing; they are more resilient than Elastomeric Chain and they do not cross the long axis of the clinical crown thus diminishing the undesirable lingual moment (de-torqueing).

The second alternative is placement of the Elastomeric Ligature Ties from the power hook to power hook, in this fashion the force is applied closer to the Center of Resistance.

A “Floating O Ring”

The author was exposed to this technique by reading the September 2021 issue of the JCO.  The purpose of this technique is to minimize the side effects during cuspid extrusion with twin brackets.  The procedure is as follows:

• Place Elastomeric Ligature Tie over a .014 CuÔ Nitanium arch wire and leave it “floating”
• Place this Elastomeric Ligature Tie over the distal hook and the distal tie wing of the cuspid. The arch wire should be at the bottom of the bracket, not in the slot (one point contact)
• Tie in the arch wire into the rest of the bracket. Do not tie the mesial tie wing of the first bicuspid and the distal tie wing of the lateral
• Change the Elastomeric Ligature Ties every appointment

References:

1. Rondeau Seminars, Level I, Session 2; 117-118
2. Cerum Ortho Organizers Catalogue, 164
3. Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, Volume LV, No 9, 559-560