The purpose of this study was to evaluate the force degradation rate of synthetic elastomeric chains during space closing phase of orthodontic treatment. Two kinds of synthetic elastomeric chains(RMO, 3M) were selected which were commonly used in clinics. All of the samples were extended and tested for 4 weeks under the simulated intraoral condition. The results can be summarized as follows : 1. Time related residual force showed typical logarithm function. Residual force after 4 weeks was 41.2~64.6 % of original force, and difference between two kinds of elastomeric chain existed. 2. Elastic force decreased greatly during first 10 minutes, so 20~25 % of original force disappeared. After that, this decreasing tendency was diminished significantly, average rate of elastic force after 1 week to 4 weeks were 1.5 % demonstrating rather constant force. 3. Even though the same brand of elastomeric chiain was used, as extension rate of elastomeric chain increased, force degradation rate increased by decreasing of residual force.
Elastomers*

Statement of Problem: The accuracy and dimensional stability of elastomeric impression materials have been the subject of numerous investigation. Few studies have addressed the effect of changes in time on the dimensional stability of impression materials. Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of elastomeric impression materials and storage time on dimensional stability. Materials and methods: A total of 75 impressions were made of epoxy resin dies mimicked prepared 3-unit fixed partial denture. The dies had 1 buccolingual, 1 mesiodistal and 1 occlusogingival lines and interpreped dot. Impression materials investigated included two polyether impression materials and three polyvinylsiloxane impression material. 15 specimens were made of each impression material and poured by type IV stone over times(30 minutes, 24 hours, 72 hours) after mixing; the same examiner measured each specimen 3 times at a magnification of 3.5*. All statistical tests were performed with the level of significance set at .05. Results: The results indicated that significant difference at any measuring point of stone dies of the polyvinylsiloxane and polyether impression materials when measurements at 30 minutes, 24hours, and 72 hours were compared; the length of measuring point increased significantly as time passed by. However, this result is not significant clinically. Analysis also showed significant differences at any measuring point when polyvinylsiloxane and polyether impression materials were compared and significant differences clinically. Conclusion: Under the conditions of this study, the shrinkage rate of the polyvinylsiloxane and polyether impression materials significantly increased as time passed by. The polyether impression materials showed higher shrinkage significantly, while the shrinkage rate of all five materials showed a significant time-dependent increase.
Denture, Partial, Fixed ; Elastomers*

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of four elastomeric interocclusal recording materials and the weight change according to different storage period (24 hours, 48hours, 7days) and different conditions (dry, wet). The techniques for establishing the intercuspal position were centic occlusion interocclusal record with four elastomeric interocclusal recording materials (Ramitec, Stat-BR, Blu-Mousse, Regisil) (experimental groups) and location of the cast in a position of maximum interdigitation using tactile and visual method(control group). To evaluate the accuracy of four elastomeric interocclusal recording materials, the quality of contacts between the mounted casts was compared with the results of an occlusal examination of the same subjects. The results were as follows : 1. The most accurate method of articulating study casts at the intercuspal position was by hand articulation and no significant differences in accuracy were observerd among the experimental groups. 2. In case of interocclusal records storaged in dry sealed plastic box, no significant differences in accuracy were observed among the experimental groups. 3. In case of interocclusal records storaged in water, there was significant inaccuracy in Ramitec group. 4. The biggest weight change was observed in Ramitec group in all storage conditions
Elastomers* ; Hand ; Plastics ; Water

There are some attempts to improve the survival of venous island flap, such as delay procedure and pharmacological agents. This study includes prefabrication of vein which could enhance the survival of the venous island flap. The venous island flap was created by a branch of the central vein in rabbit auricle. At 1.5 cm away from the distal margin of the designed flap, the central vein was dissected and transferred under the random part of the future venous flap for 1 week. The survival of prefabricated venous flap was compared with unprefabricated flap 1 week after the flap elevation. The vasculature in the flap were also visualized by microfil cast. The results were as follows: 1. The prefabrication improved the survival of the venous flap significantly. 2. The transferred veins in the prefabricated flap were well visualized 1 week after the flap elevation. In conclusion, it is inferred that the prefabrication enhance the survival of the venous island flap.
Silicone Elastomers ; Veins

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate an appropriate degree of prestretch for orthodontic synthetic elastomeric chains focusing on time-dependent viscoelastic properties. METHODS: Orthodontic synthetic elastomeric chains of two brands were prestretched to 50, 100, 150, and 200% of the original length in one and three cycles, and the hysteresis areas of the obtained stress-strain curves were determined. Acrylic plates were employed to maintain constant strain during the experiment. A total of 180 samples were classified into nine groups according to brand, and their stresses and permanent deformations were measured immediately after prestretch (0 hour), after 1 hour and 24 hours, and after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 weeks. The relationship between stress relaxation and permanent deformation was investigated for various degrees of prestretch, and the estimated stress resulting from tooth movement was calculated. RESULTS: The degree of prestretch and the stress relaxation ratio exhibited a strong negative correlation, whereas no correlation was found between the degree of prestretch and the average normalized permanent strain. The maximal estimated stress was observed when prestretch was performed in three cycles to 200% of the original length. CONCLUSIONS: Although prestretch benefited residual stress, it did not exhibit negative effects such as permanent deformation. The maximal estimated stress was observed at the maximal prestretch, but the difference between prestretch and control groups decreased with time. In general, higher residual stresses were observed for product B than for product A, but this difference was not clinically significant.
Elastomers* ; Relaxation* ; Tooth Movement

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of 3 silicone primers and 3 surface characterization of acrylic resin surface on bond strength between silicone elastomer and acrylic resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 96 Cosmesil silicones bonded to heat-curing acrylic resin were fabricated with the dimension of 75 x 10 x 3 mm. The 3 primers used in this study were G611 platinum primer, A-330 Gold platinum primer, and cyanoacrylates resin. Specimens without primer were used as control. The 3 types of surface characterization done were retentive holes with 1.5 mm in diameter and 0.5 mm deep, retentive beads of 0.6 mm diameter and the third type which was plain without any characterization. The specimens were then checked for bond strength by subjecting them to 180degrees peel test on a universal testing machine. The obtained results were then subjected to statistical analysis using 2-way ANOVA and Scheffe multiple post hoc procedures. The statistical significance was set at 5% level of significance. RESULTS: The maximum bond strength was seen for samples in which A-330G primer was used followed by G611 primer. The control group showed the minimum bond strength. Surface characterization of retentive holes increased the bond strength considerably as compared to retentive beads and samples without any surface characterization. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the study, A-330G primer was more compatible with Cosmesil M511 silicone and has better bonding of Cosmesil to acrylic resin. Retentive holes made on acrylic surface increased the bond strength considerably than those without any surface characterization.
Collodion ; Cyanoacrylates ; Platinum ; Silicone Elastomers

The present study was performed to evaluate the relaxation patterns of rubber elastics, elastomeric modules and chains stored in the water bath. Initial loading profiles were established for extension of 100%, 200% of their original length for elastomeric chains and of 21, 28, 35, 42, 49mm for rubber elastics and elastomeric modules. The tests were performed on materials stored in distilled water at 37degreesC and extraoral elastics stored in dry state at room temperature, at 0 hour, 1 hour, 6 hours, 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks, respectively. The following results were drawn: 1. The relaxation of rubber elastics manifested no correlation with increments of the extension distances, but showed correlation with time lapse. Remaining forces of rubber elastics came out 84.64-98.52% after 1 day, 70.92-89.31% after 3 weeks of period. 2. The relaxation of elastomers manifested no correlation with increments of the extension distances, however represented considerable relaxation with time lapse as rapid relaxation after 1 hour and then gradual relaxations with time lapse. Modules relaxed much more than chains. 60.58-67.05% of remaining forces for chains and 37.77-65.17% for modules after 1 hour were turned out, and 51.48-62.22% for chains and 8.04-25.15% for modules after 3 weeks as well. 3. Permanent deformation rates of rubber elastics could not be measured with present investigation, but elastomers underwent severe deformations. 4. 3-9% of permanent deformations for chains, 3-10% for modules at 0 hour were turned out, and 25-30% for chains, 96-145% for modules after 3 weeks as well.
Baths ; Elastomers* ; Relaxation* ; Rubber ; Water

The following conclusions were drawn from this study. 1. The L* value in all experimental group was lesser than in control group. 2. The a* value was increased in most experimental group, but those of MDX4-4210 materials pigmented with Raw sinna and with Mars violet in group 3,4,5 were decreased. 3. The b* value in group 1,2,3 was decreased, but that in group 4,5 was increased. There was no statistical difference between control and most of group 3.4.5. 4. The deltaE* value was decreased in all experimental group except A-2186 material in group 4, and the changes of deltaE* value of MDX4-4210 materials pigmented with Red yellow and with Mars violet were great(over than 2.0). 5. The total amount of change of L* and a* value were greater in A-2186 silicone, but that of deltaE* was greater in MDX4-4210 silicone. 6. The total amount of change of L* value was greater in experimental group 4, that of a* was greater in group 1, and those of b* and deltaE* values were greater in group 2.
Dental Implants* ; Elastomers* ; Mars ; Prosthodontics* ; Silicones ; Viola

PURPOSE: The buttocks region has been associated with allure and sex appeal for centuries. Gluteal implants enable buttocks remodeling in a way that is not possible in other methods. One of the reasons that render gluteal implant surgeries unpopular is the fear of complications, the main problems being seroma, wound dehiscence, extrusion, and a visible or palpable implant. The authors present the XYZ technique, which provides anatomical reference points to guide the intramuscular dissection procedure in a feasible and safe way, resulting in a lower complication rate. METHODS: The XYZ procedure was done for buttock augmentation on 8 patients from December 2009 to June 2010. Patient's ages ranged from 27 to 44 with a mean age of 36. Seven patients were applied the 250cc sized Elastomer implants with one patient 290cc sized implant. Preoperative marking was done with the patients in the standing position. Bisection of the gluteus maximus muscle was done at the midpoint thickness to create a plane for implant insertion, which is called the sandwich plane. RESULTS: The 8 cases were performed safely without major complications. However one patient had minor wound dehiscence, and was managed with conservative treatment. Another patient had a discomfort on the buttocks for a long time. The patients were followed up for average 6 months. All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic results. CONCLUSION: In performing the XYZ technique for gluteal augmentation, the surgeon must split the muscle into two equal halves with anatomical reference points to guide the muscle detachment in a symmetrical way at an adequate depth. This method provides a guideline for the surgeon in determining the ideal plane during intramuscular dissection and gives predictable results with low complication rates. Intramuscular gluteoplasty with gluteal implants offers predictable, aesthetically pleasing results without contour irregularities and only a low incidence of major complications.
Buttocks ; Elastomers ; Humans ; Incidence ; Muscles ; Seroma

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the resistance to sliding (RS) in self-ligating and conventional ligation bracket systems at 5 different second-order bracket angulations by using low-stiffness alignment wires in a 3-bracket experimental model and to verify the performance of the main RS components in both systems when these wires are used. METHODS: Interactive self-ligating brackets with closed and open slides were used for the self-ligating (SL) and conventional ligation (CL) groups, respectively; elastomeric ligatures (1 mm inner diameter) were used in the latter system. The alignment wire used was 0.014 inch heat-activated NiTi (austenitic finish temperature set at 36degrees C by the manufacturer). A custom-made testing machine was used to measure frictional resistance. Tests were repeated 5 times at every angulation simulated. All data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The RS increased significantly with increasing angulation in both SL and CL groups (p < 0.0001). However, the RS values were significantly higher at every angulation (p < 0.0001) in the CL group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the relevance of the binding phenomenon, ligation forces predominantly affect the RS when low-stiffness alignment wires are used.
Elastomers ; Friction ; Ligation ; Models, Theoretical ; Polymers