Mechanical Properties of Experimental Non-Latex Orthodontic Elastic Bands

Abstract

. Elastics, a source of continuous orthodontic force, are divided into two types, latex and non-latex, which are made from natural rubber and synthetic rubber, respectively. The major advantage of natural latex elastics is its resiliency to intraoral tractive forces. However, as the incidence of allergic reactions to natural latex has become more widely recognized, non-latex orthodontic elastics have been developed as an alternative. The aim of this study is to investigate the in vitro mechanical properties of Thai non-latex orthodontic elastics as compared to commercially available products. 30 samples of each two Thai non-latex elastics (MTEC1, MTEC2) and two commercial elastics (AO, GAC) with a specified diameter of ¼ inches were used. Width, cross-sectional thickness (CT), and internal diameter (ID) of all samples were measured. Mechanical tests were then carried out to determine the initial extension force (F0), 24-hour residual force (F24), and percentage of force decay. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). Statistically significant differences in elastic width among all four groups except between the Thai non-latex groups (MTEC1 and MTEC2) were found. AO elastics showed the greatest CT followed by GAC, MTEC2 and MTEC1. ID was significantly highest in GAC elastics and lowest in MTEC1 elastics. Although MTEC1 elastics had the lowest F0, the force still falls within the acceptable range for tooth movement (100-250g or 0.981–1.471N). MTEC2 elastics had the greatest F24 and also the lowest percentage of force decay followed by MTEC1, GAC, and AO elastics, which displayed the highest force decay, though no significant differences were found between the two commercial elastics. Thai non-latex elastics are suitable for orthodontic tooth movement due to its lower percentage of force decay after 24 hours.