IN VITRO STUDY REGARDING THE FORCE LOSSES OF CLEAR ELASTOMERIC CHAINS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to measure and to compare the loss of orthodontic force of clear elastomeric chains from three brands producing orthodontic materials (GAC, American Orthodontics, Ortho Technology). These elastomeric chains being the most used by the orthodontist at the time of the study, at which the initial forces were measured and compared with those at 7 days, 14 days, 21 days and 28 days. We used typodonts with brackets and molar tubes bonded from 16 to 26 to the maxillary arch, respectively from 36 to 46 to the mandibular arch, in order to reproduce the oral cavity conditions as accurately as possible. The long chain and short chain were used for the brackets on the maxillary arch (12 rings / chain) and the continuous elastomeric chains were attached to the brackets on the mandibular arch (12 rings / chain). The typodonts with clear elastomeric chain attached at the braces were kept in an incubator at 37 degrees Celsius in artificial saliva environment and the initial forces were measured at the extension of the chains and then were measured at one week, at two weeks, at three weeks and at four weeks. The results were recorded in an Excel (Microsoft Corp.) spreadsheet and the loss of strength of the chains from the three orthodontic brands over a period of 28 days from the application of the initial force was compared.

Keywords

• orthodontic clear elastomeric chains
• loss of orthodontic force