Metal Mouth Message Board

After being braced for 10 months and wearing power chains and elastics for 4 months I had developed a sensivity to Latex. My lips swell and i get little blister like pimples on them. I now take an allergy tablet every day which has settled this annoying and incredibly painful problem. My question is has anyone else had this problem and if so are there alternative rubber products available for braces? My next appointment at the ortho is in two weeks and i would like to be informed if possible before i go.

Have you spoken to your ortho? There are alternative products they can use. I'm not sure about the powerchains but they do have elastics that aren't made with latex.

Some of us on here are getting FORSUS SPRINGS , all metal, instead of elastics (suppose to work faster) , not sure about powerchains but I am sure they can find a different alternative for you, good luck, that is a bit of an annoying allergy to have

Ellebraced wrote:Some of us on here are getting FORSUS SPRINGS , all metal, instead of elastics (suppose to work faster) , not sure about powerchains but I am sure they can find a different alternative for you, good luck, that is a bit of an annoying allergy to have

Ditto to what Ellebraced stated.. the forsus springs does the same as elastics. Except you take them out.

FORSUS springs do not always do what elastics are meant to do. It depends on the direction and location of elastics. The springs are meant to correct class 2 malocclusions.

Keep in mind that there could be a number of reasons for this new irritation. It may not be the elastics, but it is prudent to take steps to make sure.

Most large orthodontic companies have latex-free elastics and I believe most of them have latex free elastic ligatures and powerchain as a standard. Check with your orthodontist to determine what might work best for you.

Ok, I stand corrected - thanks Dr. Tam! My ortho stated that she could use either with me.. but I'd rather go the elastic route.

I'm glad you posted this. I've recently started to get the 'pimple-like' blisters and some sores on the inside of my mouth, but I figured they were from the elastics rubbing my cheeks raw, not a latex allergy. I've had the elastics and some power chains for almost two months.

I've ditched my elastics for the last couple of days (I wear two of them to help straighten out my midline) and the problem seems to have gotten better.

Anybody know if it will just get worse if I put the elastics back in?

Thanks everyone I havent spoken to my ortho personally only left a message at the office. I have my next app in 10 days and will discuss this then. In all the allegy tabs are working so at least I am getting some relief. Will keep you posted on this.....

You should go to your regular doctor as well and do some allergy testing. A latex allergy can be very serious. From what my daughters doc told us you can do a blood test, or the pin-prick test on your back.

I have latex free elastics. Mine are crystal clear so they are a bit less noticable.

I would tell your ortho about the issue you are having. I am sure he can order latex free products, if he doesn't already have them.

I found this study re: latex vs. non-latex elastics:

http://orthocj.com/2010/08/the-evaluati ... tro-study/