Influence of different beverages on the force degradation of intermaxillary elastics: an in vitro study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effects of frequently ingested beverages on force degradation of intermaxillary elastics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and eighty 1/4-inch intermaxillary elastics (TP Orthodontics) were immersed into six different beverages: (1) Coca-Cola(®); (2) Beer; (3) Orange juice; (4) Red wine; (5) Coffee and (6) artificial saliva (control). The period of immersion was 15 min for the first and second cycles and 30 min for the third to fifth cycles. Tensile forces were read in a tensile testing machine before and after the five immersion cycles. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to identify significant differences. RESULTS: Force degradation was seen in all evaluated groups and at all observation periods (p<0.05). A greater degree of degradation was present at the initial periods, decreasing gradually over time. However, no statistically significant differences were seen among groups at the same periods, showing that different groups behaved similarly. CONCLUSION: The chemical nature of the evaluated beverages was not able to influence the degree of force degradation at all observation periods

The effect of different pH levels on conventional vs. super-force chain elastics

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of pH levels on force decay and cytotoxicity of elastic chains submersed in artificial saliva. The samples were divided into two groups: Group SF (Polyurethane elastic, super force) and Group C (Polyurethane elastic, conventional), which were stretched to 100% of their initial length. They were kept in artificial saliva solutions at pH levels of 5.0, 6.0 and 7.5 for time intervals of 10 seconds, 1, 14 and 28 days. Cytotoxicity assay was performed in cells (L929-fibroblast), subjected to "dye-uptake" test. ANOVA, Sidak method and Tukey’s test were used. The pH did not interfere directly in force decay results of tested elastics. Cytotoxicity test showed that Group SF presented similar cell viability when compared with Group C. There was gradual reduction in cell viability from beginning to 28th day. The pH had no significant influence on force decay and cytotoxicity. Time had more influence and contributed to variability in results

The effects of fixed and removable orthodontic retainers: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: In the view of the widespread acceptance of indefinite retention, it is important to determine the effects of fixed and removable orthodontic retainers on periodontal health, survival and failure rates of retainers, cost-effectiveness, and impact of orthodontic retainers on patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was undertaken based on a defined electronic and gray literature search strategy ( PROSPERO: CRD42015029169). The following databases were searched (up to October 2015); MEDLINE via OVID, PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, LILACS, BBO, ClinicalTrials.gov, the National Research Register, and ProQuest Dissertation and Thesis database. Randomized and non-randomized controlled clinical trials, prospective cohort studies, and case series (minimum sample size of 20) with minimum follow-up periods of 6 months reporting periodontal health, survival and failure rates of retainers, cost-effectiveness, and impact of orthodontic retainers on patient-reported outcomes were identified. The Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to assess the quality of included trials. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies were identified, 18 randomized controlled trials and 6 prospective cohort studies. Of these, only 16 were deemed to be of high quality. Meta-analysis was unfeasible due to considerable clinical heterogeneity and variations in outcome measures. The mean failure risk for mandibular stainless steel fixed retainers bonded from canine to canine was 0.29 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.26, 0.33) and for those bonded to canines only was 0.25 (95 % CI: 0.16, 0.33). A meta-regression suggested that failure of fixed stainless steel mandibular retainers was not directly related to the period elapsed since placement (P = 0.938). CONCLUSION: Further well-designed prospective studies are needed to elucidate the benefits and potential harms associated with orthodontic retainers