The aim was to evaluate and compare force degradation of Latex and Non-Latex elastics in intramaxillary and intermaxillary traction with same extension at various time intervals in Vivo study. 30 subjects with split mouth design- Latex elastics on right side and Non-Latex elastics on left side of size 3/16 inch, 4.5 oz-medium force, 4.8 mm diameter of intramaxillary and intermaxillary traction at the same extension (25mm) were taken, instructed to remove elastics while eating to avoid repeated stretching. Force measurements were taken with push pull gauge at 11 intervals (0,1,2,3,6,9,12,24,27,30,33,36 hours). Post Hoc Tuckey HSD test was used. There was significant difference between Latex and Non-Latex elastics. Force degradation of Latex and NonLatex elastics in intramaxillary traction started at 9 hours (p ≤ 0.0001) with 7% more force loss in Non-Latex elastics and for intermaxillary traction at 6 hours (p ≤ 0.0001) with 8% more force loss in Non-Latex elastics. There was nonsignificant difference between intramaxillary and intermaxillary elastics. Non-Latex elastics showed more force loss than Latex. But the difference inforce magnitude was to a lesser extent between intramaxillary and intermaxillary traction. Salivary PH and enzymes, swallowing and speaking may be contributing factors for force degradation.
