Analysis of migration of nitrosamines from orthodontic elastics into simulated saliva

Six most commonly used brands of the orthodontic elastics in dentistry in Canada were tested for the presence of volatile N-nitrosamines. All six brands were found to contain three types of volatile N-nitrosamines, namely, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosodibutylamine (NDBA), and N-nitrosopeperidine (NPIP). Migration studies into simulated saliva showed that over 80-100% of the volatile nitrosamines present in the matrix of the orthodontic elastics leached out into the simulated saliva within three weeks of incubation at 37/spl deg/C. It was concluded that more stringent controls at the manufacturing or processing stages, were necessary in order to reduce the levels of the above mentioned carcinogens in the orthodontic rubber bands.