Color preferences of patients among female patients has been explained, the preference for red among male patients can be at- tributed to the association of the color with their favorite football teams. Detailed analysis in terms of the age of the patients revealed a high preference for color- ful ligatures among adolescents. Almost none of adults (age, 21 years and higher) preferred color- Table 7. Detailed gender-related distribution of elastic ligature preferences.* Various 24 (7.2%) 11 (6.7%) * Percentages show the distribution for each gender. Table 8. Detailed age-related distribution of elastic liga- ture color preferences.* Female 13 (3.9%) 28 (8.3%) 3 (0.9%) 9 (2.6%) 59 (17.6%) 15 (4.5%) 10 (3.0%) 5 (1.5%) 28 (8.3%) 122 (36.3%) 9 (2.6%) 3 (0.9%) 8 (2.4%) ≤15 17 (8.6%) 10 (5.2%) 5 (2.5%) 16 (8.1%) 36 (18.3%) 10 (5.2%) 5 (2.5%) 10 (5.1%) 17 (8.6%) 4 (2.0%) 1 (0.5%) 7 (3.6%) 16-20 7 (3.1%) 16 (7.0%) 6 (2.6%) 16 (7. 0%) 19 (8.3%) 9 (3.9%) 4 (1.8%) 10 (4.4%) 13 (5.8%) 11 (4.8%) 3 (1.3%) 7 (3.1%) Color Fire red Lilac Yellow Blue Pink Lime Purple Black Light Blue Transparent White Pearl Silver Color Fire red Lilac Yellow Blue Pink Lime Purple Black Light Blue White Pearl Silver Transparent 43 (21.8%) 91 (39. 9%) 50 (66.8%) 174 Various 16 (8.0%) 16 (7.0%) 3 (4.0%) * Percentages show the distribution for each age group. European Journal of Dentistry Male 11 (6.7%) 1 (0.6%) 8 (4.9%) 24 (14.6%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (3.0%) 1 (0.6%) 15 (9.1%) 6 (3.7%) 62 (37.9%) 10 (6.1%) 1 (0.6%) 9 (5.5%) ≥21 0 (0.0%) 3 (4.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.3%) 4 (5.3%) 1 (1.3%) 2 (2.7%) 0 (0.0%) 4 (5.3%) 4 (5.3%) 0 (0.0%) 3 (4.0%) ful ligatures. The preference for less-noticeable elastic ligatures showed a gradual increase with increasing age: 27.9% in subjects aged less than 16 years, 49.1% in subjects aged 16–20 years, and 76.0% in subjects aged more than 20 years. Anoth- er noteworthy finding was that transparent liga- tures were mainly preferred by all age groups. The preference percentages for transparent ligatures were 21.8% for subjects aged less than 16 years, 39.9% for subjects aged between 16–20 years, and 66.8% for subjects aged more than 20 years. This high preference may be explained by the desire to make the fixed orthodontic appliance less visible or to camouflage the appliance. This preference can be considered to be influenced by peer pres- sure and the esthetic concerns associated with the use of metal brackets. concLusIons Female patients preferred red–purple-colored tones, while male patients preferred blue–black- colored tones. Adolescents preferred colorful elastic ligatures, while older patients preferred less-noticeable elastic ligatures. A stock of 10– 12 colorful and less-noticeable elastic ligatures seems adequate for patient satisfaction. rEFErEncEs 1. Mizrahi E, ed. Orthodontic Pearls. A selection of practical tips and clinical expertise. London: Taylor & Francis; 2004. 2. Hurlbert AC, Ling Y. Biological components of sex differ- ences in color preference. Curr Biol 2007;17:R623-625. 3. Alexander GM. An evolutionary perspective of sex-typed toy preference: pink, blue, and the brain. Arch Sex Behav 2003;32:7-14. 4. Ruble DN, Lurye LE, Zosuls KM. Pink frilly dresses (PFD) and early gender identity. Princeton Report of Knowledge, Volume 2(2), Princeton University. Available from: http:// www.princeton.edu/prok/issues/2-2/pink_frilly.xml.