Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

School of Dentistry

Department

Orthodontics

Committee Chair

Peter Ngan

Committee Co-Chair

Khaled Alsharif

Committee Member

Timothy Nurkiewicz

Abstract

Abstract

E-Cigarette Aerosol’s Effect on the Force Degradation of Elastomeric Chain: An in Vitro Study

Joshua Lokant D.D.S.

Background and Objectives

Orthodontic elastomeric chain is used in orthodontic treatment for various applications such as closing spaces, aligning teeth, correcting midlines, promoting even spaces, and retracting teeth. Ideally, this force is light, continuous, and maintains a constant force between orthodontic appointments. There are many companies that manufacture polyurethane power chain, and their proprietary formulas give rise to different force levels and constancy of force. When the power chain is in the mouth, it is subject to food, liquids, temperature changes, pH changes, toothbrushing, and many other environmental factors. The use of e-cigarettes among the youth has increased to an alarming epidemic North America. Unfortunately, this same age group is also receiving orthodontic care. There is insufficient information in the literature on how e-cigarette aerosols affect the force degradation of power. The objective of this study was to evaluate the force degradation of elastic chains from two different companies when exposed to e-cigarettes. This information could help clinicians know which type of elastic chains should be used for orthodontic treatment.

Materials and Methods

There were two elastomeric chains tested, Rocky Mountain Orthodontic Energy Chain® and Ultra-Chain. For RMO Energy Chain®, there were two control groups and two test group. The first control group of elastomeric chain was only exposed to ambient air on a benchtop. The second control group was exposed to a simulated oral environment only. The first test group was only exposed to the e-cigarette aerosol, JUUL 5% Menthol e-cigarette aerosol. The second test group was exposed to both e-cigarette aerosol and a simulated oral saliva. The simulated oral environment was maintained at the temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, pH (6.8), and artificial saliva. An exposure device consisting of an aerosol trap, exposure chamber, flow meter, and particle sensor was used to expose the elastomeric chains to the JUUL e-cigarette aerosol. For Ultra-Chain, there was a control group of ambient air and a test group of exposure to e-cigarette aerosol only. The Ultra-Chain was compared to the RMO for e-cigarette ambient air and exposure only. Each group of 20 samples consisted of 5 links with a half link on each side placed on an acrylic jig at a distance set at 32.8mm. The samples were placed on an Instron machine for testing of force to evaluate the degradation over time at time intervals: initial, 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks.

Results

Significant differences in force degradation were found when exposing RMO chain elastics for 1, 2, or 4 weeks (58.3 grams, 19.2 grams, and 24.1 grams, respectively and p

Conclusion

There is no increase in force degradation of RMO Energy chain exposed to JUUL Menthol 5% e-cigarette aerosol and a simulated oral environment compared to being exposed to only a simulated oral environment over a 4-week time period. The exposure of JUUL Menthol 5% e-cigarette aerosol on RMO Energy Chain did not have any significance at the end of four weeks. However, the exposure of JUUL Menthol 5% e-cigarette aerosol on Ultra Chain had a statistically significant effect at week 1, 2, and 4. Further studies are needed to assess more products susceptibility to e-cigarette aerosol and simulated oral environments as well as other clinical scenarios that clinically significant force reductions are found

Embargo Reason

Publication Pending

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Available for download on Friday, April 04, 2025

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