Effects of environmental conditions on the initial strength released by latex elastics

Vol. 15 – Number 60 – 2022 Original article Page 62-65 Effects of environmental conditions on the initial strength released by latex elastics Paula Braga de Queiroz Veiga¹ Edgard Norões Rodrigues Matta² Abstract This study evaluated the influence of environmental conditions on the initial strength released by orthodontic latex elastics. Three hundred samples of medium strength latex elastics, size 5/16 “Morelli® brand were tested. The elastics were distributed in 2 groups: Group A: kept in the original packaging, Group B: exposed to the environment. The elastics were maintained in an acrylic “jig” of 07 cm x 07 cm that was fixed in a 55 cm x 15 cm wooden base. The elastics were activated in 50 % of their initial length and the released initial forces were measured through a digital precision dynamometer. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov and t Student tests with 5% of significance for both tests were used. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the mean initial force released of 71.60g and 71.05g between groups A and B, respectively. It can be concluded that in the present study the elastics tested did not suffer an environmental influence in relation to the initial force released. Descriptors: Latex, elasticity, Orthodontics. ¹ Specialization Course in Orthodontics – Centro Universitário CESMAC. ² Discipline of Orthodontics – UFAL. DOI: 10.24077/2022;1560-0187838