title: Comparison between efficacy of four different types of orthodontic separators.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the rapidity and amount of separation of four different types of separators (i.e. Elastomeric separators, Dumbbell separators, Kesling springs and NEET springs) and also the percentage of loss of these separators.
  
  
  METHODS
  The separating effect of 4 different types of separators (i.e. Elastomeric separators, Dumbbell separators, Kesling springs and NEET springs) were assessed for 3 days, and the separated space between molars and premolars were noted separately for three consecutive days. The number and types of lost separators were recorded at the same time. The amount of separation between molars and 2(nd) premolar in each quadrant was measured separately with a leaf gauge (sensitivity 5/100mm) and noted on each day.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dumbbell separators proved to be the fastest in producing separation and they produced consistently greater amount of separation on all three days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Dumbbell separator would be ideal for situations where in rapid separation is needed, and also in cases where in the patient comes with the loss of separators.
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Orthodontics, Karnataka Lingayat Education, Vishwanath Katti Institute of Dental Sciences , Belgaum, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Manjunath A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Malagan
authors.affiliation: Professor and HOD, Department of Othodontics, Royal dental college , Chalissery,Palghat Dist,Kerala, India .
authors.forename: Biswas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: P P
authors.affiliation: Professor and HOD, Department of Orthodontics, Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences , Virajpet, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muddaiah
authors.affiliation: Professor and HOD, Department of Orhtodontics, Jodhpur dental College General Hospital , Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India .
authors.forename: Rami
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences , Virajpet, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Orthodontics, Vasantdada patil Dental College & Hospital , Kavalapur, Sangli, Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: Jyosna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Preetham
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Maratha Mandal's Nathajirao G Halgekar Institute od Dental Sciences & Research . Belgaum, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naduwinmani
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Orthodontics, S N Medical College & Hospital , Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India .
authors.forename: Sujeet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
keywords: Leaf gauge; Nickel titanium; Orthodontic separators