Effect of pigmentation on force degradation in orthodontic elastomeric chains: an experimental study
Abstract
Introduction: Elastomeric chains are widely used in orthodontics but struggle to maintain consistent force over time, with significant force reduction occurring shortly after application. This study aimed to compare force degradation, morphology, and chemical composition between pigmented and non-pigmented continuous elastomeric chains.
Material and Methods: Three groups (grey, red, transparent) were subjected to 150 g initial tension and immersed in artificial saliva for varying durations (30 minutes, 24 hours, 28 days), then tested using a universal machine. Structural analysis via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical analysis via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were conducted.
Results: Significant strength loss in pigmented chains compared to transparent ones occurred. After 24 hours and 28 days, grey chains showed the highest loss (25.2% and 28.1%), followed by red chains (17.9% and 21.2%), with transparent chains exhibiting the least (10.6% and 14.6%) (p<0.05). Grey chains also displayed pronounced surface changes as assessed by SEM, while FTIR revealed characteristic polyurethane bands. Despite their higher strength retention, non-pigmented chains are less popular due to patient preference.
Conclusions: Pigmented orthodontic chains exhibit significantly greater mechanical degradation and surface alterations after artificial saliva exposure than transparent chains, indicating that pigmentation adversely affects long-term strength.
References
Cheng HC, Chen MS, Peng BY, Lin WT, Shen YK, Wang YH. Surface treatment on phy-sical properties and biocompatibility of orthodontic power chains. Biomed. Res. Int. 2017;2017:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/10.1155/2017/6343724
Kroczek C, Kula K, Stewart K, Baldwin J, Fu T, Chen J. Comparison of the orthodontic load systems created with elastomeric power chain to close extraction spaces on different rectangular archwires. Am. J. Orthod. Dento-facial. Orthop. 2012; 141: 262–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2011.09.007
Paulose J, Antony P. An in-vitro study to compare the force degradation of pigmented and non-pigmented elastomeric chains. Indian J Dent Res. 2014; 25: 208–13. http://doi.org/10.4103/0970-9290.135924
Eliades T, Bourauel C. Intraoral aging of orthodontic materials: The picture we miss and its clinical relevance. Am. J. Orthod. Den-tofacial. Orthop. 2005; 127: 403–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2004.09.015
Sulaiman TH, Eriwati YK, Indrani DJ. Effect of temperature on tensile force of orthodontics power chain in artificial saliva solution. J Phys Conf Ser. 2018; Conf. Series 1073: 062006. http://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1073/6/062006
Behnaz M, Namvar F, Sohrabi S, Parishanian M. Effect of Bleaching Mouthwash on Force Decay of Orthodontic Elastomeric Chains. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2018;19(2):221-225. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10024-2240 PMID: 29422474.
Motta MJL, Ladewig V de M, Santiago Junior JF, Almeida-Pedrin RR, Poleti TMFF, Conti AC de CF. Comparison of force degradation and color change of esthetic elastomeric chains. Res Soc Dev. 2021;10(4):e54310414307
Halimi A, Benyahia H, Doukkali A, Azeroual MF, Zaoui F. A systematic review of force decay in orthodontic elastomeric power chains. Int. Orthod. 2012; 10: 223–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ortho.2012.06.013
Silva Chaves-Filho ACD, Costa AR, Borges LPS, Santos ECA, Crepaldi MV, Vedovello SAS, Correr AB, Correr-Sobrinho L. Force Degradation of Elastomeric Chains after Storage Time and Mechanical Brushing. Braz Dent J. 2021;32(4):55-61. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-6440202104487. PMID: 34787251.
Dadgar S, Sobouti F, Armin M, Ebrahiminasab P, Moosazadeh M, Rakhshan V. Effects of 6 different chemical treatments on force kinetics of memory elastic chains versus conventional chains: An in vitro study. Int. Orthod. 2020; 18: 349–358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ortho.2020.02.003
Mousavi SM, Mahboobi S, Rakhshan V. Effects of different stretching extents, morphologies, and brands on initial force and force decay of orthodontic elastomeric chains: An in vitro study. Dent. Res. J. 2020; 17: 326–337.
Naini F, Gill D. Orthodontic elastics and elas-tomeric materials. Preadjusted Edgewise Fixed Orthodontic Appliances. Wiley; 2023; 423–426. http://doi.org/10.1002/9781118817551.app2.
Triwardhani A, Prastiti V, Vemala I, Sjamsudin J. Thermoset and thermoplastic elastomeric chain comparative strength: An in vitro study. J Int Oral Health. 2020;12(5):485. http://doi.org/10.4103/jioh.jioh_50_20
Badri KBH, Sien WC, Shahrom MSBR, Hao LC, Baderuliksan. NY, Norzali. NR. FTIR spectroscopy analysis of the prepolymerization of palm-based polyurethane. Solid. State. Sci. Technol. 2010; 18: 1–8.
Jiao L, Xiao H, Wang Q, Sun J. Thermal degra-dation characteristics of rigid polyurethane foam and the volatile products analysis with TG-FTIR-MS. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 2013; 98: 2687–2696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polym-degradstab.2013.09.032
Xue Y, Patel A, Sant. V, Sant. S. Semiquantita-tive FTIR analysis of the crosslinking density of poly(ester amide)-based thermoset elasto-mers. Macromol. Mater. Eng. 2016; 301: 296–305.https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.201500190
Moghaddam SF, Kamali MD. Force decay and discoloration of thermoplastic and thermoset orthodontic elastomeric chains. Braz Dent Sci. 2022;25(1):e2612. https://doi.org/10.4322/bds. 2022.e2612
Abass AA, Alyessary AS. Discoloration of stret-ched colored elastomeric modules: An in vivo study. J Orofac Orthop. 2024;85(S1):1–6. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00056-022-00444-0
Stroede CL, Sadek H, Navalgund A, Kim DG, Johnston WM, Schricker SR, Brantley WA. Viscoelastic properties of elastomeric chains: an investigation of pigment and manufac-turing effects. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2012;141(3):315-326. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo-do.2011.07.023. PMID: 22381492.
Chung H-J, Lim S-A, Lim H-K, Jung S-K. Perceptual and quantitative analysis of discoloration of orthodontic elastomeric chains by food. BMC Oral Health. 2023;23(1). http://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-02825-2
Jagtap SB, Bhosale VI, Patil AS. Comparative evaluation of interrupted and intermittent forces on canine retraction: an in vivo study. Folia. Medica. 2021; 63, 686–691.
Andhare P, Datana S, Agarwal SS, Chopra SS. Comparison of in vivo and in vitro force decay of elastomeric chains/modules: a systematic review and meta analysis. J World Fed Orthod. 2021;10(4):155–162. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejwf.2021.07.003
Chimenti C, Lecce D, Santucci L, Parziale V, Lucci M. In vitro assessment of elastomeric chain behavior. Prog. Orthod. 2001; 2: 42–45. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-9975.2001.20107.x
Palade TM. In vitro study regarding the force losses of clear elastomeric chains. Roma. J Oral Rehab. 2023; 15: 292–302.
Tang Q, Gao K. Structure analysis of po-lyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers by FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Int J Polym Anal Charact. 2017; 22:569–574. https://doi.org/10.1080/1023666X.2017.1312754
Krishnan V, Davidovitch Z. Biological basis of orthodontic tooth movement: A historical perspective. Biological Mechanisms of Tooth Movement. Wiley. 2021: 1–15. http://doi.org/10.1002/9781119608912.ch1
Zheng B, Al-Somairi MAA, Li. Z, Zhao. Y, Liu. Y. Effect of filament types and loops number on the force degradation of elastomeric chains used for orthodontic treatment: an in-vitro study. BMC Oral Health. 2023; 23: 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-02812-7
Issa AR, Kadhum AS. Force degradation of orthodontic elastomeric chains: A literature review. J. Baghdad. Colleg Dent. 2022; 34, 51–58. https://doi.org/10.26477/jbcd.v34i4.3276
Zhou Y, Zhu L, Zhai J, Yang R, Guo X. Analysis of the mechanical behavior of polyurethane thermoset elastomers based on hydrogen bonding between different crosslinking point structures. Polymer 2023; 285: 126356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2023.126356
Ferraz C, Mathias P, Costa M, Pithon M, Braga E. Experimental evaluation of strength de-gradation of orthodontic chain elastics exposed to cigarette combustion smoke. South Eur J Orthod Dentofac Res. 2020; 7: 12–5. https://doi.org/10.5937/sejodr7-25828
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. © 2024.
