grass-line ligature

grass-line ligature

Etymology: AS, graes + L, linea, thread, ligare, to bind

a fine cord made from the fibers of a grass-cloth plant, used in orthodontics for minor adjustments or movement of the teeth. The ligature exerts traction by shrinking when wetted by saliva.

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ligature (lig´chur),

n 1. a cord, thread, or fine wire tied around teeth for the purpose of holding a rubber dam in place on retained teeth with fractured roots or split crowns or on teeth that have been replanted.
2. a wire or threadlike substance used to tie a tooth to an orthodontic appliance or to another tooth.

ligature, grass-line,

n a type composed of the fibers of a grass-cloth plant (ramie); used for minor tooth movement. It depends for its activation in movement on the property of shrinkage of the ligature when it is wet by the saliva of the patient.

ligature, steel,

n a type, available as steel filaments in several useful diameters.