Some common uses that you may hear about include: Rubber bands can also be classified based on why they’re being used.
Latex bands were more stable over a 24-hour period than synthetic bands. For example, a small 2018 study compared 15 people using both latex and synthetic bands. Some research suggests that latex bands may exert more stable force over time than synthetic bands. However, synthetic bands can be used for people that have a latex allergy. Latex bands are often used, as they’re highly flexible and inexpensive to produce. Rubber bands can be made of two different materials: latex and synthetic. The rubber band size that’s used depends on how far it needs to stretch in order to work effectively. The size is the measurement of its diameter, typically in fractions of an inch. Rubber bands come in different sizes as well.
The exact amount of force exerted in each force category may vary by manufacturer. Generally speaking, there are three force categories:įorce is measured in ounces (oz) or grams (g). Rubber bands are classified by the amount of force that they can exert. The types of rubber bands used for braces are diverse and can be categorized in several ways.