Nitrosamines

Hello,

I've been wondering about the possible exposure to nitrosamines from orthodontic elastics.  I have to wear the rubber latex bands 24 hours a day and I've read that natrual rubber latex leaches cancer causing nitrosamines.  Is this a realistic conern?  Also, what about the small rubber bands that fit around each of the brackets?  A study back in 1996 found that many of the major manufacturers of rubber orthodontic elastics contained high levels of nitrosamines.  Do you know if there has since then been some stricter standards put in place?

Link to study: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/login.jsp?url=http%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.org%2Fiel2%2F3543%2F10634%2F00493144.pdf%3Farnumber%3D493144&authDecision=-203

Thanks!

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

I don't do braces so I'm not sure about it.  I've never heard it before.  The study was done in 1996 so you may want to check to see if your orthodontist is using any of those particular brands.  I'm sure if it was an issue 15 years ago, it would be addressed by now from the manufacturers.