Ligature Ties
28 products
About ligature ties
A ligature tie is what secures the archwire tightly within the bracket slot: one elastic ring or steel tie for each orthodontic bracket. An elastomer is a polymer that regains its shape after the load is taken off; early orthodontic elastomers were latex based, and current ones are synthetic polyurethanes. Tying with steel ligature wire or with polymeric rings presses the archwire against the depth of the slot, which increases friction. Elastomeric ligatures are affected by moisture and heat, lose force quickly and are permanently deformed when stretched.
One ring per bracket, holding the wire in the slot. A self-ligating bracket has a built-in clip or gate instead, so no separate ligature is needed.
Sources: Arora et al. 2025, Self-Ligating Versus Conventional Brackets: A Narrative Review (Cureus) · Virdi et al. 2024, Force Decay Behavior of Orthodontic Elastomeric Chains in Simulated Oral Conditions (Cureus) · Leite et al. 2014, Comparison of frictional resistance between self-ligating and conventional brackets tied with elastomeric and metal ligature (Dental Press J Orthod)