Class III elasticsresearched

Quick facts

Field	Value
ID	OA-0127
Type	component
Category	component
Fixed/removable	removable (patient-worn)
Primary function	Class III molar/canine correction; underbite treatment
Malocclusion target	Class III malocclusion
Compliance required	yes — 20–22 hours/day
Uses TADs	no (can be combined with TADs)

Overview

Class III elastics run in the opposite direction to Class II elastics — from the lower canine or premolar hook to the upper molar hook (front of lower arch to back of upper arch). This delivers a mesial force on the upper arch and a distal/retraction force on the lower arch, correcting Class III molar and canine relationships. Class III elastics are commonly used in combination with fixed appliances during Class III correction, either as the primary correction mechanism (mild Class III) or as a finishing/detailing adjunct after facemask or surgical treatment.

Clinical & technical

Mechanism of action

The elastic pulls the upper arch forward (mesially) and the lower arch backward (distally). In the upper arch, forward tipping of the incisors and mesial force on the molars. In the lower arch, distal tipping of the incisors and distal force on the molars. Net effect: corrects anterior crossbite and Class III molar/canine relationship. Force: typically 2–4 oz per side. Compliance is essential — 20–22 hours/day.

Indications & case selection

Mild-to-moderate Class III correction in compliant patients; finishing and detailing in Class III cases after initial correction; dental Class III without significant skeletal component; patients who have completed reverse pull facemask treatment and need elastic maintenance; combination with fixed appliances.

Contraindications & limitations

Compliance-dependent; skeletal Class III cases (true mandibular prognathism) require surgery or facemask — elastics alone are insufficient; excessive force or wrong attachment points produce unwanted tooth movements.

Design & fabrication

Components & materials

• Latex or non-latex rubber elastics
• Sizes: 1/8″–3/16″; forces 2–4 oz
• Lower canine/premolar hook; upper molar hook attachment
• Daily replacement

Lab fabrication notes

Manufactured by orthodontic suppliers. No lab fabrication required.

Common variants & modifications

• Class II elastics — reverse direction Class II elastics
• Reverse pull facemask — skeletal Class III correction Reverse pull headgear
• Box/triangle elastics — multi-point attachment variants

Used in

Appliances that incorporate this component. ★ = fabricated by Clear Fusion Lab.

• Carriere Motion — Carriere Motion

(Class III version)

• Face mask — Face mask (elastic attachment)
• Reverse pull headgear —

Reverse pull headgear

Common variants & modifications

• Short Class III: 3/16" diameter; high force; used for rapid

incisor retraction in Class III

• Medium Class III: 1/4" standard configuration
• Triangle Class III: upper canine to lower canine + lower first

molar; adds vertical vector

• Cross elastic: single tooth cross-elastic for unilateral

posterior crossbite correction; not class III per se but similar elastic principle

• Class III + anterior vertical: combined elastic running from

lower canine to upper lateral and upper canine — addresses deep overbite + Class III simultaneously

Also known as

• Class III elastics (commonname)_
• reverse elastics (descriptor)
• intermaxillary Class III elastics (descriptor)

Sources

• [Orthodontic Headgear Types — Cleveland

Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/orthodontic-headgear)

Research log

• 2026-06-09 — researched Class III elastic mechanism, direction,

compliance, indications.