Comparison of force decay pattern in orthodontic elastomeric chains and NiTi closed coil springs, affected by five different mouthwashes: An in vitro Study

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the force decay pattern of elastomeric chains and NiTi coil springs which were exposed to five different commercially available mouthwashes.Methods: In this in vitro study, 60 pieces of elastomeric chain (EC) and 60 NiTi closed coil springs (CS) were divided into 6 groups. The specimens were exposed to one of these mouthwashes twice a day for 60 seconds: Listerine, chlorhexidine, Orthokin, Persica, fluoride and artificial saliva as the control group. The elastomeric chains and NiTi springs were stretched so that they exert the initial force of 250 gr. Their force was measured on the 1, 7, 14 and 28 following days by means of a digital gauge.Results: Elastomeric chains and coil springs had force decrease over time, but EC' force reduction was greater with the highest reduction rate in the first week. However, in the CS group, the force decrease wasn't statistically significant in the first two weeks. After 28 days in the control groups, 49.8% of the initial force was remained in ECs while the value was 93.3% for CSs. In comparison between mouthwashes, in EC groups, in all mouthwashes except Persica, the remained force was statistically less than control group.Conclusion: Force degradation of elastomeric chains could be exacerbated by use of mouthwashes. About coil springs, force decay was also observed. However, it was not statistically significant. Force reduction was detectable after four weeks of coil springs usage, but in EC groups, the greatest reduction was after the first week.

Effects of vigorous isometric muscle contraction on titin stiffness-related contractile properties in rat fast-twitch muscles

This study was conducted to examine the effects of an acute bout of vigorous isometric contractions on titin stiffness-related contractile properties in rat fast-twitch skeletal muscles. Intact gastrocnemius muscles were electrically stimulated in situ until the force was reduced to ~50% of the initial force. Immediately after cessation of the stimulation, the superficial regions of the muscles were dissected and subjected to biochemical and skinned fiber analyses. The stimulation resulted in a decrease in the titin-based passive force. The amounts of fragmented titin were unchanged by the stimulation. Protein kinase Cα-treatment increased the passive force in stimulated fibers to resting levels. The stimulation had no effect on the maximum Ca2+-activated force (max Ca2+ force) at a sarcomere length (SL) of 2.4 μm and decreased myofibrillar (my)-Ca2+ sensitivity at 2.6-μm SL. Stretching the SL to 3.0 μm led to the augmentation of the max Ca2+ force and my-Ca2+ sensitivity in both rested and stimulated fibers. For the max Ca2+ force, the extent of the increase was smaller in stimulated than in rested fibers, whereas for my-Ca2+ sensitivity, it was higher in stimulated than in rested fibers. These results suggest that vigorous isometric contractions decrease the titin-based passive force, possibly because of a reduction in phosphorylation by protein kinase Cα, and that the decreased titin stiffness may contribute, at least in part, to muscle fatigue.

Concurrent validity and reliability of a functional electromechanical dynamometer to assess isometric mid-thigh pull performance

The aim of this study was to examine the concurrent validity and reliability of a functional electromechanical dynamometer (FEMD) to assess the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) kinetic variables: peak force (PF), rate of force development (RFD), and time-specific force values (50-, 100-, 150-, and 200-ms). Twenty-seven male collegiate athletes (age: 22.9 ± 1.9 years; stature: 184.8 ± 10.4 cm; body mass: 84.2 ± 11.8 kg) performed four IMTP trials simultaneously on a force platform and the FEMD. The PF variables calculated from performance of the IMTP on both devices were reliable (CV < 3%; ICC > 0.90) and valid (bias < 13.9 N; random error < 52.1 N; r = 1.00), but they showed heteroscedasticity of the errors ( R2 > 0.23). The RFD (CV > 10.88%; ICC < 0.76) and initial force (CV > 8.81%; ICC < 0.76) variables did not reach an acceptable reliability for any device, but they showed strong associations between them ( r range = 0.53–0.69). These results indicate that the FEMD is an acceptable alternative to assess athlete’s maximal force production (i.e. PF), but the data collected with FEMD and force plates should not be used interchangeably.

Comparison of force degradation and color change of esthetic elastomeric chains

Objective: this study compared the force degradation and color change of esthetic elastomeric chains of four commercial brands. Materials and methods: the study analyzed 10 medium-force esthetic elastomeric chains with 6 links of Morelli, Orthometric, Eurodonto and 3M brands from sealed packages within the expiration date. The elastics were stretched twice their length, according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and were immersed in artificial saliva at 37°C. The forces were measured with an orthodontic dynamometer at onset and at intervals of 1, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days after immersion. The force degradation was evaluated calculating the percentage of force lost in relation to the initial force in each time interval, for each group tested separately and also between them. The color change was evaluated by visual analysis scale by observation of photographs of chain elastics before and after study completion by 31 examiners. The ANOVA test of repeated measures was applied considering 2 factors, time and groups, and the Tukey test was used for analysis of multiple comparisons. A significance value of 0.05% was adopted for the analyses. Results: the elastics showed great force degradation. After 7 days the groups presented degradation around 50% of the initial force. In the evaluation between groups, the elastics showed significantly different mean forces. When assessing color change, the scores assigned by examiners evidenced less color changes for elastics of Eurodonto brand. Conclusion: regardless of the commercial brand, transparent elastomeric chains show significant force degradation values ​​after 1 day. The scores assigned to color change evidenced that all commercial brands showed staining, with the best results for Eurodonto elastics.

Numerical assessment of large hexagonal seamless steel tube extrusion feasibility

The study assesses feasibility of hot extrusion of a large seamless hexagonal 9%Cr-1%Mo steel tube. The manufacturing chain starts from a pierced cylindrical billet, hot extruded and to be further cold drawn in several passes. Preliminary industrial tests have shown thickness reduction in extrusion limited by a huge initial force peak (+25 %) reaching the press capacity. To understand this force peak, thermomechanical numerical simulation (ForgeNxt®) of the furnace-press transfer and extrusion stages is carried out. Constitutive model at high temperature, high strain and strain rate has been selected from literature. Surface properties, namely Heat Transfer Coefficient (HTC) and friction coefficient, have been made space- and time-dependent to represent glass lubrication. Numerical results are qualitatively compared to industrial experimental values to evaluate the prediction of the model. It suggests that the difficult start of the glass melting and flow along a cooled die affects the force peak. Practical improvements are suggested on this basis, together with possible refinements of the simulation for more precision and insight into extruded tube quality.

Comparative evaluation of force decay pattern in orthodontic active tiebacks exposed to five different mouth rinses: An in vitro Study

Background. This study compared the force decay pattern of two different orthodontic active tiebacks (ATBs) exposed to five different commercially available mouth rinses. Methods. In this in vitro study, 90 transparent ATBs and 90 gray ATBs were divided into six groups; one was the control group, and the others were exposed to one of these mouth rinses twice a day for 60 seconds: Listerine, chlorhexidine, Orthokin, Persica, and fluoride. The initial force of each ATB was 250 g at a 24-mm extension. The force of ATBs was measured on days 1, 7, 14, and 28 using a digital gauge. Results. The highest percentage of force loss was observed between days 14 and 28 (P<0.05). At the end of the study, the Persica group exhibited the highest force degradation in both ATB types. In the transparent ATBs, it was followed by Orthokin, Listerine, fluoride, chlorhexidine, and control groups, respectively. In the gray ATBs, Orthokin, chlorhexidine, control, Listerine, and fluoride groups exhibited the highest force decay in descending order. In some groups, the differences between transparent and gray ATBs were significant. In the control group, the force of transparent ATB was significantly higher than gray ones on days 7 and 14 but not significantly after four weeks. Conclusion. ATBs’ force degradation could be exacerbated by the use of some mouth rinses. There were some differences between force relaxation patterns of transparent and gray ATBs. The data could be beneficial in choosing appropriate O-rings for making ATBs.

Dynamic measurement of orthodontic force using a tooth movement simulation system based on a wax model

BACKGROUND: Orthodontic force is often statically measured in general, and only the initial force derived from appliances can be assessed. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate a technological method for measuring dynamic force using tooth movement simulation. METHODS: Tooth movement was simulated in a softened wax model. A canine tooth was selected for evaluation and divided into the crown and root. A force transducer was plugged in and fixed between the two parts for measuring force. Forces on this tooth were derived by ordinary nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) wire, hyperelastic Ni-Ti wire, low-hysteresis (LH) Ti-Ni wire and self-made glass fibre-reinforced shape memory polyurethane (GFRSMPU) wire. These forces were measured after the tooth movement. RESULTS: The canine tooth moved to the desired location, and only a 0.2 mm deviation remained. The changing trends and magnitudes of forces produced by the wires were consistent with the data reported by other studies. The tooth had a higher moving velocity with ordinary Ni-Ti wires in comparison to the other wires. Force attenuation for the GFRSMPU wire was the lowest (40.17%) at the end of the test, indicating that it provided light but continuous force. CONCLUSIONS: Mimicked tooth movements and dynamic force measurements were successfully determined in tooth movement simulation. These findings could help with estimating treatment effects and optimising the treatment plan.

The biomechanics of posterior maxillary arch expansion using fixed labial and lingual appliances

ABSTRACT Objective To compare the biomechanics of straight labial, straight lingual, and mushroom lingual archwire systems when used in posterior arch expansion. Materials and Methods An electro-mechanical orthodontic simulator allowing for buccal–lingual and vertical displacements of individual teeth and three-dimensional force/moment measurements was instrumented with anatomically shaped teeth for the maxillary arch. In-Ovation L brackets were bonded to lingual surfaces, and Carriere SLX brackets were bonded to labial surfaces to ensure consistency of slot dimensions. Titanium molybdenum archwires were bent to an ideal arch form, and the teeth on the orthodontic simulator were set to a passive position. Posterior teeth from the canine to second molar were moved lingually to replicate a constricted arch. From the constricted position, the posterior teeth were simultaneously moved until the expansive force decreased below 0.2 N. Initial force/moment systems and the amount of predicted expansion were compared for posterior teeth at a significance level of α = 0.05. Results Archwire type affected both the expected expansion and initial force/moment systems produced in the constricted position. In general, the lingual systems produced the most expansion. The archwire systems were not able to return the teeth to their ideal position, with the closest system reaching 41% of the intended expansion. Conclusions In general, lingual systems were able to produce greater expansion in the posterior regions when compared with labial systems. However, less than half of the intended arch expansion was achieved with all systems tested.