Study of Separation Efficacy and Pain with Various Commonly Used Orthodontic Separators

Background: Normally, adjacent teeth maintain a tight interproximal contact with each other. Therefore, their separation is required to allow for the placement of orthodontic bands. Different types of separators like brass wires, latex elastics, elastomeric and spring-type steel separators have been used in orthodontics. Materials and Methods: This study is conducted to check the amount of separation achieved in maxillary and mandibular permanent first molars on application of three different types of separators i.e., Elastomeric separators, custom-made Kesling separators made of 0.018” Australian wire with double helix and 0.020” Australian wire with single helix. In 45 patients Kesling separators made of 0.018”, 0.020” Australian wire and elastomeric separators were inserted on right and left sides respectively. Separation was checked and compared after 48 hours of insertion and pain perception was checked using visual analogue scale at 1 hour, 24 hours and 48 hours of insertion in young adult subjects. Results: Significantly more separation occurred at sites where elastic separators were used compared to 0.018” Kesling separator with double helix and 0.020” Kesling separator with single helix. Between 0.018” and 0.020” Kesling types, more amount of separation occurred at the site where 0.018” Kesling separators were used. Conclusion: Separation caused by elastic separators was maximum while that of 0.020” Kesling separator with single helix caused minimum separation in both maxillary arch as well as in mandibular arch.