Effect of Three Types of Mouth Washes on the Force Decay of Elastomeric Chains (An in Vitro Study)

This study designed to evaluate the amount of force decay of elastomeric chains (power chain) when exposed to mouth washes with 3 different ingredient agents of the same brand. The sample was divided into four groups, each containing 40 pieces of closed type of elastomeric chain with a total 160 pieces. The force measurements were obtained with a digital force gauge. Descriptive statistics was obtained for the tested groups and the force decay and their variation among the tested groups during different immersion time were analyzed using ANOVA and tukey tests. The study showed highly significant increase of the force decay of elastomeric chains for all the groups in all immersion times regardless the test solutions. The highest measurement were detected in the first 24 hours. Additionally, the chlorhexidine containing mouth wash group showed the highest force decay among the groups where the resultant force detected below the clinically recommended value. In conclusion, the orthodontist should considered that the loss of force of power chain is inevitable and prescribing chlorhexidine containing mouth wash should be considered with special consideration to shortening the periodic follow up visits.