Desinfecção de elásticos ortodônticos de poliuretano em tempos de COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: For orthodontically induced tooth movement, polyurethane chain elastics are an important source of force release. Objective: This work evaluated the influence of different disinfection media: 70% alcohol, 2% glutaraldehyde and 0.2% peracetic acid on the elastics ability to release force. Methodology: The forces released by 150 samples of rubber bands in each group, after being immersed in different disinfection means, were measured with a precision digital dynamometer and compared with rubber bands that were immersed in distilled water (control group). The average of the forces were compared by Anova's one way, complemented with the Tukey's test, all at 5%. Results: The elastic chains of control group released an average of 156.16 gf. The elastics immersed in 70% alcohol, 2% glutaraldehyde and 0.2% peracetic acid released, on average, 147.57gf, 145.40gf and 143.43gf, respectively. Statistically significant differences were identified when comparing the forces released between the 3 experimental groups and the control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: Orthodontic polyurethane chain elastics when subjected to disinfection with 70% alcohol, 2% glutaraldehyde and 0.2% peracetic acid showed a force decay after immersion on disinfectant liquids. Among the disinfection chemicals, 70% alcohol was the one that promoted the least loss in the ability to release force.