The Effect of Pigmentation on Latex and Non-Latex Elastics

Abstract

Background: For more than a century, intraoral elastics have been extensively utilised in orthodontics. It has been demonstrated that over time, variations in the production process, material composition, and colour added to elastics affect force levels.

Goal: This study aimed to ascertain how pigmentation affected force levels and how they deteriorated with time in orthodontic intraoral elastics made of both non-Latex and latex.  

Materials & Methods: The elastic samples were divided into 25 groups, with 10 elastic samples in each group. The groups included American Orthodontics Latex in both natural and four different colours; American Orthodontics Non-Latex in natural; Ormco Latex in both natural and four different colours; Auradonics Latex in both natural and four different colours; and Auradonics Non-Latex in both natural and four different colours. Over the course of 24 hours, data was gathered every five minutes. In order to imitate function, samples were stretched to a starting distance of 19.10 mm (as advised by the manufacturer), and then they were cycled with an additional 25 mm at 1-minute intervals. Force data was gathered while simulating the intraoral environment with a specially designed testing apparatus. Green-pigmented latex elastics broke down more quickly and produced lower force values across all manufacturers at most points.

Conclusions: Pigmentation and Material Composition had a significant effect on force levels and their degradation over time, with green pigment and Non-Latex elastics showing lower forcer values and greater force decay rates over time.