Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the orthodontic force exerted by thermoplastic orthodontic appliances incorporating Eucommia ulmoides in terms of usefulness as the aligner-type orthodontic device. Erkodur, Essix C+®, Eucommia elastomer, and edgewise brackets were used (n = 3, each; thickness = 1.0 mm, each). The orthodontic force on the upper right incisor was measured every 24 h for two weeks using a custom-made measuring device. The force of the Eucommia elastomer (4.25 ± 0.274 N) and multi bracket system (5.32 ± 0.338 N) did not change from the beginning to the end (p > 0.01). The orthodontic force exerted by the Eucommia elastomer was lower than that of the multi-bracket orthodontic appliance from the beginning to the end. The force of Erkodur significantly decreased from the beginning to 24 h (6.47 ± 1.40 N) and 48 h (3.30 ± 0.536 N) (p < 0.01). The force of Essix C+® significantly decreased from the beginning (13.2 ± 0.845 N) to 24 h (8.77 ± 0.231 N) (p < 0.01). The thermoplastic orthodontic appliance made of Eucommia elastomer continuously exerted a constant orthodontic force for two weeks under water immersion conditions. The orthodontic force of Eucommia elastomer was found to be similar to the orthodontic force exerted by the multi-bracket orthodontic appliance with 0.019 × 0.025 in nickel–titanium wire. These results suggest that the Eucommia elastomer has possibly become one of the more useful materials to form thermoplastic orthodontic appliance exerting low continues orthodontic force.
Highlights
Orthodontic treatment using a transparent thermoplastic orthodontic appliance, called aligner-type orthodontic devices, has recently increased with the aesthetic demands of patients.Aligner-type orthodontic devices appeared in the early 1970s as a retainer for preventing relapse of the teeth after orthodontic treatment [1], they started to be used for minor tooth movement [2]
The most thermoplastic materials used for aligners are made by polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), but there are other materials made of polyurethane (PU) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [4,10]
We focused on the high ductility of EE and aimed to evaluate an aligner-type orthodontic device that is suitable for the movement of teeth and that expresses weak and sustained orthodontic force
Summary
Orthodontic treatment using a transparent thermoplastic orthodontic appliance, called aligner-type orthodontic devices, has recently increased with the aesthetic demands of patients. Aligner-type orthodontic devices appeared in the early 1970s as a retainer for preventing relapse of the teeth after orthodontic treatment [1], they started to be used for minor tooth movement [2]. To date, it has been devised in a variety of materials and thicknesses for efficient orthodontic treatment [3,4,5]. New thermoplastic materials have been developed such as by mixing PETG, PU, and polycarbonate at unique blending ratios [4] and by using PU with shape memory functions [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
