[Elastic traction in orthodontics and clinical implications].

A survey in made of the technologic and clinical characteristics of different types of intraoral elastics, through experimental tests, aimed overall at defining the possible difference of residual force between stretched out or non stretched out elastics before they are inserted in the mouth. Twelve patients, male and female, aged 10 through 14, were examined and elastics from three different manufactures were applied. The Authors conclude that the evidence obtained is reliable in the choice between the preliminary stretching out or non stretching methods in the clinical use of these elastics.