Long-term effects of different cleaning methods on copolyester retainer properties

Objective: To evaluate light transmittance, surface roughness, and flexural modulus of copolyester retainer material after long-term exposure to different cleaning methods. Materials and Methods: Standardized copolyester retainer specimens (ACE) were subjected to seven chemical cleaning solutions for 6 months: Invisalign cleaning crystals, Retainer Brite, Polident, Listerine mouthwash, 2.5% acetic acid, 0.6% NaClO, and 3% H2O2. Seventy specimens (n = 10 per method, 50.8 mm x 12.7 mm x 1.0 mm) were exposed to the different solutions twice a week for 2 minutes or according to manufacturer's instructions and stored in artificial saliva at 37 degrees C. Another group of specimens (n = 10) was brushed with a standardized toothbrushing machine for 2 minutes twice a week. At baseline and 6 months, light transmittance, surface roughness and flexural modulus of the specimens were quantified using spectrophotometry, profilometry, and three-point bend testing, respectively. Qualitative assessment was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical analyses were accomplished at a significance level of .05. Results: The results indicated that light transmittance through the specimens decreased significantly from baseline for all cleaning methods at 6 months. Flexural modulus of the specimens decreased significantly for all cleaning methods except Invisalign crystals and Retainer Brite (P > .05). The Listerine group demonstrated the worst light transmittance change while H2O2 demonstrated the greatest change in flexural modulus of the specimens compared with other cleaning methods; however, no qualitative difference was observed using SEM analysis. Conclusions: The results suggest that different cleaning methods affect long-term physical properties of the ACE retainer material. At the present time, none of these cleaning methods is ideal for copolyester retainer material.