The Effect of Extrinsic Factors on the Mechanical Behavior and Structure of Elastic Dental Ligatures and Chains

Abstract

Force provided by elastomers used in orthodontics can be affected by several factors present in the oral cavity. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of mouthwashes, toothbrushing, and smoking in the force decay of such elastomers. Tensile strength, changes in the force continuously exerted, and force decay of elastic chains (Ortho Organizer and Masel Short Power Chain) and elastic ligatures (Dentaurum and Masel) by two separate manufacturers were measured. Measurements were initially made on untreated elastics, followed by exposure to different environmental factors including cigarette smoke, toothbrushing (mechanical plaque control), and two different mouthwashes (chemical plaque control). Changes on the surface of the elastics were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Untreated Masel elastic ligature showed lower tensile strength than Dentaurum elastic ligature (2339 cN vs. 3660 cN), while significantly higher tensile strength was measured for Ortho Organizer elastic chains than Masel chains (2639 cN vs. 1324 cN). The decrease in the elastic force of Masel ligature was greater in response to all external factors compared to Dentaurum. Although brushing with toothpaste and toothbrush impacted the force of both Masel and Ortho organizer ligatures negatively, force degradation was more apparent in the case of the Ortho organizer. Surface changes were more visible when applying Curasept mouthrinse, however force decay was higher in the Corsodyl group. Mechanical and chemical plaque control can influence the tensile strength and force decay of orthodontic elastomers, which should be considered by selecting the elastomers or determining their changing interval for the practice.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of nutrition and its impact on orthodontic treatment/management

“…[ 34 ] Studies have looked into the impacts of simulated saliva environments, pH, and thermocycling, in an effort to model different oral environments, on force degradation. [ 34 35 36 37 ] The simplest formulation of artificial saliva is 0.09% aqueous sodium chloride, which is frequently employed in experiments simulating the intraoral environment. In general, the data showed that after elastics were subjected to experimental circumstances, force significantly relaxed.…”

“…During clinical use, orthodontic elastic bands are believed to degrade mostly as a result of mechanical forces. [ 37 ] Leachable moieties, however, have been isolated from a few orthodontic elastic bands, and their rising concentrations in solution correlated with a gradual loss of force. [ 38 ] The majority of the experiments on the deterioration of orthodontic elastic materials have been done in artificial saliva or air, although this topic has been studied.…”

“…[ 38 ] The majority of the experiments on the deterioration of orthodontic elastic materials have been done in artificial saliva or air, although this topic has been studied. [ 36 37 38 ] However, dental polymeric restorative materials’ reactions to food-like oral environments have been researched. When polymeric restorative materials are exposed to ethanol/water, ethanol/artificial saliva, lactic acid, citric acid, and alcohol/water as simulated foods, several forms of degradation have been observed to be accelerated that include coffee, erythrosine, food colors, vinegar, Coca-Cola, whisky, and oranges.…”

Do Oral Antiseptics Affect the Force Degradation of Elastomeric Chains?

“…Studies that have shown increased force decay, such as the study of Behnaz et al on bleaching and sodium fluoride mouthwashes, recommended using them for a short period of time [16]. However, other studies demonstrated that there was no relationship between force loss and substances present in mouth rinses [1,17]. Takeda et al established that CPC had anti-SARS-CoV-2 actions without altering the virus envelope, and low quantities inhibit the infectivity of human-isolated SARS-CoV-2 strains in saliva [18].…”