Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Title abbreviation: Adv Clin Exp Med
JCR Impact Factor (IF) – 2.1
5-Year Impact Factor – 2.2
Scopus CiteScore – 3.4 (CiteScore Tracker 3.7)
Index Copernicus  – 161.11; MNiSW – 70 pts

ISSN 1899–5276 (print)
ISSN 2451-2680 (online)
Periodicity – monthly

Download original text (EN)

Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine

2017, vol. 26, nr 3, May-June, p. 373–378

doi: 10.17219/acem/61957

Publication type: original article

Language: English

Download citation:

  • BIBTEX (JabRef, Mendeley)
  • RIS (Papers, Reference Manager, RefWorks, Zotero)

The mechanical strength of orthodontic elastomeric memory chains and plastic chains: An in vitro study

Hubert Kardach1,A,B,C,D,E,F, Barbara Biedziak1,A,B,C,D,E,F, Aneta Olszewska1,B,C,D, Ewelina Golusińska-Kardach2,B,C,D, Jerzy Sokalski2,A,B,C,D,E,F

1 Division of Facial Malformation, Department of Dental Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland

2 Department of Dental Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland

Abstract

Background. The loss of physical properties of orthodontic chains has been a topic of discussion among scientists and clinicians, motivating efforts to improve elastic materials and minimize the decrease of force. Orthodontic companies have introduced memory elastomers, which, according to the manufacturers, have improved mechanical properties.
Objectives. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of stretching elastomeric chains submerged in 37°C artificial saliva.
Material and Methods. The study assessed 2 types of chains. The first phase of the study evaluated 1) the tensile strength of the chains; and 2) elongation at the time of tearing in an environment outside of the oral cavity (without exposition). The second phase of the study evaluated 1) permanent deformation after stretching; 2) elongation at the time of tearing; and 3) the tensile strength of the chain in conditions similar to those present in the oral cavity.
Results. In the experiments using artificial saliva, pronounced force decay was observed in the plastic chain, in which, after just 7 days, force decreased almost by half compared to the initial value, with a continuous downward trend. The memory chain, however, showed increased elasticity, and after the first week of exposition the force decay at the time of tearing was around 20% of the initial value. Force decay at the time of tearing remained at a steady level between 14.4 and 25.4% throughout the whole period of exposition. In the plastic chain this value oscillated between 50.3 and 55.9%. In the experiments assessing permanent deformation of the chains performed after each week of exposition, the specimens prepared from the memory chain stretched from 8 cm to approximately 9.5 cm after exposition, while the specimens prepared from the plastic chain stretched to approximately 13 cm.
Conclusion. Memory chains are more effective in orthodontic treatment due to diminished loss of mechanical and elastic capabilities, when compared to plastic chains.

Key words

force decay, initial strain, tearing, stretching, elastic chain

References (25)

  1. Buchamann N, Senn C, Ball J, Brauchli L. Influence of initial strain on the force decay of currently avaiable elastic chains over time. Angle Orthod. 2012;82(3):529–535.
  2. Wong A. Orthodontic elastic materials. Angle Orthod. 1976;46:196–205.
  3. Eliades T, Eliades G, Watts DC. Structurat conformation of in vitro and in vivo orthodontic elastomeric modules. Eur J Orthod. 1999;21:649–658.
  4. Warych B. Akcesoria, Materiały i techniki ortodontyczne, Komorowska A, Polskie Towarzystwo Ortodontyczne. Lublin;2009:141–154.
  5. Lu T C, Wang W N, Tarng T H, Chen J W. Force decay of elastomeric chain – a serial study. Part II. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 1993;104:373–377.
  6. Baty DL, Volz JE, von Fraunhofer JA. Force delivery properties of colored elastomeric modules. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 1994;106:40–46.
  7. Lew K. Staining of clear elastomeric modules from certain foods. J Clin Orthod. YEAR;24;472-474.
  8. De Genowa DC, Mcinnes-Ledous P, Weinberg R Shaye R. Force degradation of orthodontic elastomeric chains – a product comparison study. Am J Orthod. 1985;87: 377–384.
  9. Bousquet JA Jr, Tuesta O, Flores-Mir C. In vivo comparison of force decay between injection molded and die-cut stamped elastomers. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2006;129:384–389.
  10. Andreasen GF, Bishara SE. Comparison of Alastik chains with elastics involved with intra-arch molar to molar forces. Angle Orthod. 1970;40:151–158.
  11. Bishara SE, Andreasen GF. A comparison of time related forces between plastic Alastiks and latex elastics. Angle Orthod. 1970;
  12. Stevenson J, Kusy R. Force application and decay characteristics of untreated and treated polyurethane elastomeric chains. Angle Orthod. 1994;64:455–467.
  13. Kim KH, Chung CH, Choy K, Lee JS, Vanarsdall RL. Effects of prestretching on force degradation of synthetic elastometric chains. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2005;128:477–482.
  14. Balhoff DA, Shuldberg M, Hagan JL, Ballard RW, Armbruster PC. Force decay of elastomeric chains – a mechanical design and product comparison study. J Orthod. 2011;38:40–47.
  15. Masoud A, Tsay T, BeGole E, Bedra-Russo A. Force decay evaluation of thermoplastic and thermoset elastomeric chains. A mechanical design comparison. Angle Orthod. 2014;84(6):1026–1033.
  16. Kersey ML, Glover KE, Heo G, Rabound D, Major PW. A comparison of dynamic and static testing of latex and nonlatex orthodontic elastics. Angle Orthod. 2003;73:181–186.
  17. Kanchana P, Godfrey K. Calibration of force extension and force degradation characteristics of orthodontic latex elastics. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2000;118:280–287.
  18. Mikulewicz M, Szymkowski J, Kossakowska P. Właściwości reologiczne ortodontycznych wyciągów elastycznych- doświadczenie in vitro. Dent Med Probl. 2008;445(4):420–424.
  19. Fraunhofer JA, Coffelt MTP, Orbell GM. The effects of artificial saliva and topical fluoride treatments on the degradation of the elastic properties of orthodontic chains. Angle Orthod. 1992;62:265–274.
  20. Josell SD, Leiss JB, Rekow ED. Force degradation in elastomeric chains. Semin Orthod. 1997;3(3):189–197.
  21. Wong A. Orthodontic elastic materials. Angle Orthod. 1976;46:196–205.
  22. Rock WP, Wilson HJ, Fisher SE. A laboratory investigation of orthodontic elastomeric chains. Br J Orthod. 1985;12:202–207.
  23. Huget EF, Patrick KS, Nunez LJ. Observation on the elastic behavior of a synthetic orthodontic elastomer. J Dent Res. 1990;69:496–501.
  24. Ash J, Nikolai R. Relaxation of orthodontic elastic chain and modules in vivo and in vitro. J Dent Res. 1978;57:685-690.
  25. Andreasen GF, Bishara SE. Relaxation of othodontic elastomeric chains and modules in vitro and in vivo. Angle Orthod. 1970;40:319–328.