Reliability of Digital Camera over Spectrophotometer in measuring the Optical Properties of Orthodontic Elastomeric Ligatures

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability of digital camera and spectrophotometer in measuring the optical properties of clear elastomeric ligatures under the influence of different solutions. Materials and methods: Four hundred and thirty-two clear elastomeric modules from three manufacturers (3M, ORMCO, OT) were used and were immersed into six different solution of three segments each. Each solution (200 ml) containing a determined substance, as follows: distilled water (control group), coke, turmeric, sauce (20 ml), tea and coffee. All test specimens were immersed in the solutions and kept in an appropriate receptacle for 7, 14, 21 and 30 days. The differences in color changes depen ding on the type of elastomeric modules, immersion solution, and immersion period were analyzed by using the spectro photometer and digital camera. Results: These results were analyzed statistically using the software SPSS version 11.5. 3M showed the least and OT showed the highest staining with all types of immersion solutions. Coffee showed the highest while coke showed the least amount of discoloration. As the immersion time increases, amount of discoloration of elastomeric modules increases.