G. Eliades

Orthodontic latex elastics: a force relaxation study.

The objectives of this study were to assess the force relaxation of latex elastics occurring within 24 hours of extension and to estimate the extension required to reach the reported force. Five specimens of various manufacturers latex elastics size and force levels were mounted on a custom-made setup capable of monitoring force levels in real time with a continuous mode and without operator intervention. The percentage of force relaxation was estimated from the initial and 24-hour levels, and the results were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test at alpha = 0.05 level of significance. The elastics showed force relaxation in the order of 25%, which consisted of an initial high slope component and a latent part of decreased rate. Most relaxation occurred within the first 3-5 hours after extension, regardless of size, manufacturer, or force level of the elastic. The overall as well as the initial relaxation curves were fitted to equations, which described the variation of force with time. Elastic extension to achieve the reported force was found to range between 2.7 and five times the original length. Latex elastics show force relaxation in the order of 25%, which consists of an initial high slope component and a latent part of decreased rate. Most relaxation occurs within the first 3-5 hours after extension, regardless of size, manufacturer, or force level of the elastic. The empirical rule of 3 shows remarkable variation, ranging from 2.7 to five.

Orthodontic Bonding to Wet Enamel with Water-Insensitive and Water-Activated Orthodontic Adhesive Resins

The interference of moisture in enamel bonding procedures is of interest mainly for orthodontic applications and to a lesser extent for bonded restorations. The mechanism and interfacial phenomena of enamel bonding from a restorative dentistry perspective are analyzed in Chap. 1.