Elastic Weight and Sizing

Weight of Elastics:

• Weight determines how much the elastic stretches (3 times its original size).

• Examples:

  • 8-ounce elastic: suitable for strong, hypo-divergent patients.

  • 2-ounce elastic: suitable for very young children.

  • 4-ounce elastic: common medium size used.

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Size of Elastics:

• Measured by diameter when laid flat.

• Common sizes range from 1/8 inch to 5/16 inch.

Practical Applications:

• 1/4 inch elastic: Often used from canine to first molar.

• 5/16 inch elastic: For second molar to canine.

• 3/16 inch elastic: Smaller size adjustment.

• 1/8 inch elastic: For even smaller adjustments like bootstrap elastics