# Elastodontic Therapy with Oral Bioactivator Devices: A Review
## 5 Discussion and Conclusions  
\"Elastodontics\" is a specific type of orthodontic therapy that uses elastodontic appliances. They are built with a specific material that produces neuromuscular, orthopaedic, and dental effects. This material allows the device to act on the three dimensions inside the oral cavity [5]. Elastodontics, therefore, aims to solve skeletal and functional problems in the growth period while representing a unique tool to readjust the vertical dimension in the adult patient [1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12]. Elastodontics allows light elastic forces to correct malocclusions, restoring the normal position of the teeth and reducing potential risk factors that can influence growth. This therapy simplifies or eliminates any subsequent orthodontic intervention because it facilitates balanced growth, reduces the number of extractions, and increases the treatment's stability over time. Considering that these devices are very comfortable for patients because of their elastic and soft material and are easy to use, they have become increasingly widespread in recent years [6]. Today, orthodontists have access to a different type of bioactivity (cranium-occluded-postural multifunctional harmonisers) consisting of two flanges, buccal and lingual, with a free central area, producing an orthopedic and orthodontic effect while moving without pressure [5]. It is a harmoniser of simultaneous distortions of the maxillary and mandibular skeletal bases. It is used for levelling the occlusal planes for correct functionality and a good balance of the mouth. Bioactivators have been created, especially for treating orthopaedic and orthodontic problems in childhood and adolescence, improving sagittal and vertical relationships, and allowing a correct relation of the incisors [1]. The functional activity of the bioactivator is reflected in the whole oral system: teeth, alveoli, neuromuscular structure, ATM, tongue, soft tissues, salivary glands, mandible and maxilla, innervation and, therefore, the dental-craniofacial and cervical-postural system [1]. This device is a precious tool for releasing tension from various muscle problems and promises to be very suitable for rehabilitating temporomandibular joints (TMJs) [1; 10; 12]. Bioactivators can be associated in the therapy with fixed orthodontic appliances to reduce treatment times and create the ideal arch shape [13]. Some studies have also demonstrated that elastodontic treatment may reduce the intensity of signs and symptoms of OSAS in childhood [14; 15]. The devices come in various abbreviations and colours, which indicate their skeletal classes and arch shapes. They are designed for mouths with deciduous, mixed, and permanent teeth and are, therefore, suitable for all ages from 3 years upwards. Many of the benefits of the bioactivator derive from its structure and elastomeric material. The device is made of a polymer/elastomer blend, which has the following characteristics: very elastic, soft, comfortable and non-deformable, heat-activated, and adaptable to different arch shapes. It is not predisposed to caries and it does not cause damage to the periodontitis or cause root resorption (the literature is still scarce on the subject). This material allows myofunctional exercises to rebalance the oral and lingual muscles, and no construction bite is needed. Therefore, it allows for avoiding poorly tolerated impression maneuvers. It is cheap for the patient, and the therapy time is short. The limitations include the following: it does not rotate canines, molars, and premolars; it does not correct the eighth dysodontiasis or mesial teeth; and it cannot be used in patients with mobile teeth. A common problem is excessive salivation, which gradually reduces after a few days. Like all removable devices, patient compliance is required. In conclusion, studies demonstrate the effectiveness of elastodontic appliances in many malocclusions. Bioactivators are orthopaedic-functional devices designed to rebalance the function and shape of craniofacial structures.