title: Comparative analysis of force degradation of latex orthodontic elastics of 5/16'' diameter: an in vitro study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to analyze six commercial brands of latex elastics regarding force degradation based on the time factor, in time intervals of 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours.
  
  
  METHODS
  The elastics were stretched by three times their diameter, measured, immersed in artificial saliva at 37° C, and stored in a glass container. Data obtained were described by mean parameters, standard deviation, degradation rate, and coefficient of variation and Tukey's post-hoc Test (P<0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  American Orthodontics™ was the brand closest to prescription (94.70%), and Uniden™ was the one with the lowest performance (73.60%). By analyzing the total force degradation rate at the end of the experiment, it is noted that elastics from the Orthometric™ brand presented the highest rate (20.24%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that the latex elastics studied suffer great intensity variation of initial force, and the higher variation rate occurs in the first 12 hours.
authors: Department of Dentistry, FUNORTE/SOEBRAS, Passo Fundo, Brazil - graziela.cericato@imed.edu.br.
authors: Sionara
authors: S
authors: Seibt
authors: Igor
authors: I
authors: Salmoria
authors: Graziela O
authors: GO
authors: Cericato
authors: Luiz R
authors: LR
authors: Paranhos
authors: Henrique D
authors: HD
authors: Rosario
authors: Ossam
authors: O
authors: El Haje
mesh_terms: D004548:Elasticity; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007840:Latex; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D007840:Latex