Discoloration of stretched colored elastomeric modules : An in vivo study.

Abstract

As the demands on esthetic orthodontic devices continue to increase, discoloration of colored elastomeric modules is still a concern for patients and orthodontics. Thus, we performed an in vivo study evaluating discoloration of stretched colored elastomeric modules (i.e., white, gray, and pink). In all, 90elastomeric modules of three different colors (white, gray and pink; 30elastics from each color) were placed around brackets. The elastomeric modules were distributed and arranged randomly in the patients' four dental quadrants, and were removed after 1, 2, and 4weeks. Color measurements were made before and after insertion into each patient's mouth. Digital images were taken with the camera of amobile phone (iPhoneX, Cupertino, CA, USA), and the variations in color were characterized using the Commission Internationale del'Eclairage (CIE) color space system (L*a*b*) offered by Photoshop (Adobe, San Jose, CA, USA). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant difference (LSD) tests were used for statistical analyses. The white elastomeric modules were most prone to discoloration, followed by the pink and then finally by the gray colored modules. The amount of discoloration resulting from arandom diet practiced by the patients increased gradually (but was not significant) for all elastomeric modules studied and reach apeak after 2weeks for the white and gray elastomeric modules, while discoloration of the pink elastomeric modules plateaued after 1week. Colored elastomeric modules (e.g., white, gray, and pink) discolor to variable degrees over time. Thus, patients should be advised that the consumption of food and drinks may result in discoloration of the elastomeric modules.