The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the biomechanical properties of orthodontic rubber elastic materials.
Latex bands, nylon-covered elastic threads and polyurethane-based elastic modules, delivering 205±10 grams force at 30mm stretching state: were selected and stored separately in 3 environments-air (22±3´0Q, distilled water (37±1°C), or natural saliva (37±10C). And, the amount of remaining force and permanent elongation of each sample were measured on Instron at interval of 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 1 week, and 2 weeks. So the data derived were analyzed statistically.
The results were as follows:
1. Force decay and permanent elongation of all materials increased with time lapsed; elastic module, latex band and nylon-covered elastic thread in that order of the amount of force decay; elastic module, elastic thread, latex band in that order of the amount of permanent elongation.
2. Among environmental conditions, force decay and permanent elongation in natural saliva, most increased, and those in air, least increased.
3. There was a negative correlation between force decay and permanent elongation.
4. Force decay and permanent elongation were most affected by the material itself, time and environments in that order.
S. After 24 hours in saliva, the percentage of remaining force in elastic module was 51.9% (107.37grams); in latex band, 83.2%(172.62grams); in elastic thread, 85.0%(l79.25grams). After 2 weeks in saliva, the percentage of remaining force in elastic module was 42.9%(88.75 grams); in latex band, 74.5%(154.50grams); in elastic thread, 77.6%(163.75grams).
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