The aim of this study was to test the effect of varying alcohol concentrations of various commercially available mouthwashes on force decay of elastomeric chains in prestretched and unstretched condition.

A total of five specimen groups were tested with a total sample size of 180 specimens. A specimen is described as a three-link, short module, clear elastomeric chain (3M Unitek, Ortho Plus, Ortho Organizer). The control and test groups were independently submerged in separate 37°C artificial saliva to simulate the oral conditions. Effects of different solution groups and time (initial, 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days) on three different elastomeric chains and force (cN) are analyzed with two-way analysis of variance; pair-wise comparisons are done by t-test.

Higher mean force was recorded initially followed by 24 hours >7 days >14 days >21 days and 28 days respectively. The difference in mean force decay among the different time intervals was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). Among the different solutions, higher mean force was recorded in 21.6% alcohol mixture > Listerine 8.38% > Wokadine > alcohol mixture 8.38% > artificial saliva.

In conclusion, alcohol-containing mouth rinses cause an increase in force decay of elastomeric chain over time.

These mouth rinses are commonly recommended during orthodontic treatment. The orthodontist can know better that the alcohol content of the mouth rinses and the structural and molecular modification results in the decay of elastomeric chain.

Ramachandraiah S, Sridharan K, Nishad A, Manjusha KK, Abraham EA, Ramees MM. Force Decay Characteristics of commonly used Elastomeric Chains on Exposure to various Mouth Rinses with different Alcohol Concentration: An in vitro Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2017;18(9):812-820.