{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,30]],"date-time":"2026-10-30T22:36:05Z","timestamp":1793399765127,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":17,"publisher":"Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,1]],"date-time":"2025-09-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1756684800000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["lww.com","ovid.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"\n Orthodontists frequently use elastomeric chains for space closure and incisor retraction, though these chains are prone to force degradation and permanent deformation over time. Initially introduced in the early 20\n th<\/jats:sup>\n century, elastic power chains became more widely adopted in orthodontic practice in the 1960s due to industrial advancements. There are three main types of elastomeric chains: closed (continuous), open (short), and long (broad), available in various colors such as clear and black. Elastomeric chains generate forces for several orthodontic applications, including traction of impacted teeth, space closure, midline correction, retraction of canines and incisors post-extraction, tooth leveling and alignment, mesial displacement in posterior regions, and space closure. However, therapeutic control challenges arise as the force exerted by these chains diminishes over time, with studies indicating a reduction of 50%\u201375% in the first 24 hours, followed by continued exponential decay.\n <\/jats:p>\n \n OBJECTIVES:<\/jats:title>\n \n This study aimed to analyze the rate of force decay in closed and open power chains, both black and transparent, from four orthodontic manufacturers (American Orthodontics\n \u00ae<\/jats:sup>\n , Ortho Technology\n \u00ae<\/jats:sup>\n , Ormco\n \u00ae<\/jats:sup>\n , and Orthometric\n \u00ae<\/jats:sup>\n ). Additionally, we sought to determine any significant differences among brands and colors that could influence the elastics\u2019 clinical effectiveness.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n MATERIALS AND METHODS:<\/jats:title>\n A total of 48 power chain samples were tested for force decay by using a universal orthodontic force gauge. The chains, stretched to 90 mm (twice their original length), were measured at 0 hours, 24 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, and 5 weeks. The samples were stored in artificial saliva within a laboratory water bath at a constant 37\u00b0C to simulate the oral environment. Tukey\u2019s honestly significant difference (HSD) test was applied to assess differences between brands, colors, types (closed or open), and time intervals.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n RESULTS:<\/jats:title>\n \n The study revealed significant differences in force decay among the various orthodontic power chains over the 5-week evaluation period. American Orthodontics\n \u00ae<\/jats:sup>\n demonstrated the highest reduction in force, with a decay of 73.42% by week 5, while Ormco\n \u00ae<\/jats:sup>\n exhibited the least decay at 48.17%. The black power chains of American Orthodontics\n \u00ae<\/jats:sup>\n and Ortho Technology\n \u00ae<\/jats:sup>\n showed superior initial force retention compared to their clear power chains counterparts, although all tested materials experienced substantial force decay. Closed power chains consistently retained higher forces than open ones across all brands, highlighting their potential advantage in clinical applications requiring optimal force delivery.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n DISCUSSION:<\/jats:title>\n \n The significant differences in decay patterns suggest that clinicians should consider using Ormco\n \u00ae<\/jats:sup>\n and Orthometric\n \u00ae<\/jats:sup>\n for prolonged applications due to its relative stability, while the black power chains of American Orthodontics\n \u00ae<\/jats:sup>\n and Ortho Technology\n \u00ae<\/jats:sup>\n may be more suitable for cases requiring immediate, high forces. Additionally, the consistent superiority of closed power chains in force retention emphasizes their potential advantages in optimizing tooth movement, reinforcing the need for orthodontists to align material choices with specific clinical objectives.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n CONCLUSION:<\/jats:title>\n This study highlights the significant variability in force decay among different orthodontic power chains, emphasizing the necessity for careful material selection based on both initial strength and long-term performance. The findings advocate for tailored approaches to enhance treatment efficacy and patient outcomes in orthodontic care.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.4103\/jos.jos_126_24","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,29]],"date-time":"2025-09-29T14:00:15Z","timestamp":1759154415000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/lww.0000000000001000","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Force decay of orthodontic power chains during five weeks in artificial saliva: An in vitro study"],"prefix":"10.4103","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"AbdulMajeed","family":"AlMogbel","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"276","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"R1-20250929","first-page":"215","article-title":"The role of elastomeric power chains in orthodontic treatment","volume":"12","author":"Smith","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Orthod Res"},{"key":"R2-20250929","first-page":"135","article-title":"The evolution of elastic power chains in orthodontics","volume":"8","author":"Brown","year":"2018","journal-title":"Orthod Hist Rev"},{"key":"R3-20250929","first-page":"322","article-title":"Variability in elastomeric chain materials and colors: Clinical considerations","volume":"15","author":"Doe","year":"2021","journal-title":"Orthod Pract"},{"key":"R4-20250929","first-page":"412","article-title":"Force decay in orthodontic elastics: A clinical study","volume":"19","author":"White","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Orthod Biomech"},{"key":"R5-20250929","first-page":"540","article-title":"Factors influencing force degradation in orthodontic power chains","volume":"10","author":"Lee","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int J Orthod"},{"key":"R6-20250929","first-page":"789","article-title":"The impact of force degradation on tooth movement efficiency","volume":"158","author":"Nguyen","year":"2020","journal-title":"Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop"},{"key":"R7-20250929","first-page":"89","article-title":"Comparative force decay of elastomeric chains under simulated oral conditions","volume":"24","author":"Taylor","year":"2023","journal-title":"Orthod Sci Adv"},{"key":"R8-20250929","first-page":"529","article-title":"Force decay of elastomeric chains in vitro","volume":"154","author":"Silva","year":"2018","journal-title":"Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop"},{"issue":"6","key":"R9-20250929","first-page":"935","article-title":"A randomized controlled trial of elastomeric chain and power chain in orthodontic space closure","volume":"84","author":"Bearn","year":"2014","journal-title":"Angle Orthod"},{"issue":"2","key":"R10-20250929","first-page":"121","article-title":"Influence of force decay of elastomeric chains on the duration of orthodontic treatment: A systematic review","volume":"48","author":"Khalid","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Orthod"},{"issue":"1","key":"R11-20250929","first-page":"1","article-title":"Comparative analysis of force decay of elastomeric chains in different storage conditions","volume":"79","author":"Bassi","year":"2020","journal-title":"Orthod Waves"},{"key":"R12-20250929","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"685","DOI":"10.1177\/00220345780570050301","article-title":"Relaxation of orthodontic elastomeric chains and modules in vitro and in vivo","volume":"57","author":"Ash","year":"1978","journal-title":"J Dent Res"},{"key":"R14-20250929","first-page":"348","article-title":"Force decay of elastomeric chains and ligatures in different media: An in vitro study","volume":"41","author":"Yassaei","year":"2019","journal-title":"Eur J Orthod"},{"issue":"1","key":"R15-20250929","first-page":"43","article-title":"Mechanical properties of elastomeric chains: Effect of color and brand","volume":"50","author":"Marini","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Clin Orthod"},{"key":"R16-20250929","first-page":"113","article-title":"A clinical investigation of the concepts of differential and optimal force in canine retraction","volume":"44","author":"Boester","year":"1974","journal-title":"Angle Orthod"},{"key":"R17-20250929","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"349","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ortho.2020.02.003","article-title":"Effects of 6 different chemical treatments on force kinetics of memory elastic chains versus conventional chains: An in vitro study","volume":"18","author":"Dadgar","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int Orthod"},{"key":"R18-20250929","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"477","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ajodo.2004.04.027","article-title":"Effects of pre-stretching on force degradation of synthetic elastomeric chains","volume":"128","author":"Kim","year":"2005","journal-title":"Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop"}],"container-title":["Journal of Orthodontic Science"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.ovid.com\/10.4103\/jos.jos_126_24","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,18]],"date-time":"2026-08-18T15:49:08Z","timestamp":1787068148000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.ovid.com\/10.4103\/jos.jos_126_24"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,9]]},"references-count":17,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4103\/jos.jos_126_24","relation":{},"ISSN":["2278-1897","2278-0203"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2278-1897","type":"print"},{"value":"2278-0203","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,9]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2024-11-05","name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2025-05-27","name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}]}}