IADR Abstract Archives
Mechanical, Physical properties and Cytotoxicity of Different Dental Flosses
Objectives: To compare maximum load, percentage of elongation, physical characteristics and cytotoxicity of 4 types of dental floss: (1)Thai Silk Floss (silk, waxed), (2)Oral B® Essential Floss (nylon, waxed), (3)Experimental Floss X (nylon, waxed), (4)Experimental Floss X (nylon, unwaxed)
Methods: 4 types of floss were tested (n=30) with a Universal Testing Machine (Instron®). Each sample was 30 cm long, 5 cm segment was fixed, pulled apart with load cell of 100 N, test speed of 100 mm/min. Physical characteristics were investigated by Digital microscope under 2.5×10 magnification. Cytotoxicity test was obtained using MTT assay for Oral B® and Floss X (waxed) at 3 durations of time: 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1 hour.
Results: The maximum load of Floss X (unwaxed), Floss X (waxed), Oral B and Thai Silk were 47.39, 46.46, 25.38, and 23.70 N, respectively. The percentage of elongation of Oral B, Floss X (waxed), Floss X (unwaxed) and Thai Silk were 72.43, 44.62, 31.25, and 16.44%, respectively. All 4 types of dental floss showed statistically differences for both the maximum load and percentage of elongation at p < 0.05, except for the maximum load between Floss X (waxed) and Floss X (unwaxed) which showed no statistically difference. Physical characteristics of Thai silk revealed the most disintegrated filaments. Oral B and Floss X (waxed) were non-cytotoxic.
Conclusions: Floss X had the highest maximum load. Oral B had the highest percentage of elongation. Wax coating on Floss X increased the elongation but had no significant effect on the maximum load. Thai Silk showed the most disintegrated filaments and had the lowest mechanical properties values. The two tested floss were non-cytotoxic.
Methods: 4 types of floss were tested (n=30) with a Universal Testing Machine (Instron®). Each sample was 30 cm long, 5 cm segment was fixed, pulled apart with load cell of 100 N, test speed of 100 mm/min. Physical characteristics were investigated by Digital microscope under 2.5×10 magnification. Cytotoxicity test was obtained using MTT assay for Oral B® and Floss X (waxed) at 3 durations of time: 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1 hour.
Results: The maximum load of Floss X (unwaxed), Floss X (waxed), Oral B and Thai Silk were 47.39, 46.46, 25.38, and 23.70 N, respectively. The percentage of elongation of Oral B, Floss X (waxed), Floss X (unwaxed) and Thai Silk were 72.43, 44.62, 31.25, and 16.44%, respectively. All 4 types of dental floss showed statistically differences for both the maximum load and percentage of elongation at p < 0.05, except for the maximum load between Floss X (waxed) and Floss X (unwaxed) which showed no statistically difference. Physical characteristics of Thai silk revealed the most disintegrated filaments. Oral B and Floss X (waxed) were non-cytotoxic.
Conclusions: Floss X had the highest maximum load. Oral B had the highest percentage of elongation. Wax coating on Floss X increased the elongation but had no significant effect on the maximum load. Thai Silk showed the most disintegrated filaments and had the lowest mechanical properties values. The two tested floss were non-cytotoxic.