Effect of Listerine and Sodium Fluoride Mouthwashes on Force Decay of Orthodontic Memory Elastomeric Chains: An In Vitro Study.

Abstract

Objectives: The interaction of mouthwashes with orthodontic elastomeric materials may alter their mechanical properties. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of 0.05% sodium fluoride Oral-B PRO-Expert Multi Protection and fluoride-free Listerine Advanced with Tartar Protection mouthwashes on the force decay behavior of memory elastomeric chains. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, 90 pieces of closed gray memory elastomeric chains were randomly allocated to three distinct groups (n=30): control, sodium fluoride, and Listerine. The control samples remained fully submerged in artificial saliva over the course of the experiment. Test samples were placed daily for 1 minute in either sodium fluoride or Listerine mouthwash, then in a solution consisting of equal parts of mouthwash and artificial saliva for 30 minutes, followed by a thorough rinse with distilled water, and then placed back in the artificial saliva. Tensile tests were conducted at various time points (baseline, 1 hour, and 1, 7, and 28 days) (n=6). Data were analyzed by one-way and two-way ANOVA, and Tukey's post-hoc test (alpha=0.05). Results: All groups exhibited a continuous force decay over time (P<0.001). The experimental groups demonstrated significantly greater force decay compared to the control group (P<0.001). The sodium fluoride group exhibited significantly greater force decay compared to the Listerine group at all measured time points (P<0.001) except on day 28 (P=0.970). Conclusion: Both mouthwashes accelerated the force degradation of memory elastomeric chains, with sodium fluoride causing a greater reduction except on day 28.