Nanomechanical properties, surface topography, and color stability of fiber-reinforced composite orthodontic retainers
The present study investigated the nanomechanical properties, surface topography, and color alterations of fiberreinforced
composite (FRC) orthodontic retainers. Two FRC orthodontic retainer materials (glass fiber reinforced
(group 1) and polyethylene fiber reinforced (group 2)) were evaluated. Nanomechanical properties (nano-hardness and
elastic modulus), surface roughness (Ra), and color stability of FRC retainers at baseline and after 2 years of simulated
aging were evaluated. The data collected were analyzed using analyses of variance, followed by Tukey’s honestly significant
difference test for post hoc comparisons at the significance level of p < 0.05. Group 1 specimens exhibited highest
hardness (0.16 + 0.06) and elastic modulus (2.68 + 0.17) at baseline, and group 2 specimens showed lowest hardness
(0.09 + 0.16) and elastic modulus (2.19 + 0.36) after aging. Significant difference in hardness and elastic modulus was
observed between the groups at baseline and after aging (p < 0.05).The aged specimens demonstrated decreased
hardness and elastic modulus values compared to baseline specimens, but the differences were not significant (p > 0.05).
Group 2 specimens exhibited increased Ra at baseline (0.46+0.79) and aging (0.84+0.94), and the least Ra values were
observed with group 1 specimens at baseline (0.31 + 0.87) and aging (0.59 + 0.65). There was a significant color
alteration of the specimens from baseline to aging in both the groups (p < 0.05). However, group 1 specimens showed
noticeable color change, and group 2 showed appreciable color change. Glass fiber-reinforced FRC orthodontic retainer
exhibited superior properties compared to polyethylene fiber-reinforced FRC. Accelerated aging decreases surface
hardness of the polymer matrix and increases Ra and discoloration of the FRC retainer materials.
Background: Orthodontic bands have been shown to alter oral microbial flora that lead to convert caries‑free patients to moderate or high caries risk individuals. Aim: This study aimed to…
Creeping of a resin-composite-based interface between the enamel and an orthodontic bracket was investigated using two testing setups — tooth-bracket and three-point bending ones. Orthodontic…
The present study investigated the nanomechanical properties, surface topography, and color alterations of fiberreinforced
composite (FRC) orthodontic retainers. Two FRC orthodontic retainer…