Gaining adequate interdental space with modified elastic separating rings: Rationale and technique

Restoring a tooth with an inadequate contact point and root proximity is a challenge to the practitioner. Ignoring such situations or making compromises in the treatment plan may hinder a successful treatment outcome. Treatment options include strategic extractions, sectional orthodontics, and minor orthodontic movements. The purpose of this article is to discuss the clinical problems and difficulties arising from this situation and to present a modified treatment modality through two case reports. Elastic separating rings, which open an interdental space for placing orthodontic appliances, can be modified to serve as a preprosthetic means for solving mesiodistal crowding of teeth in daily practice. The classic method is modified by the use of elastic rings in sequentially increased thickness, so that the space gained with one ring is followed and increased with a thicker one. An orthodontic background and special instruments are not necessary.