The disinfecting effect of glutaraldehyde and peracetic acid on tensile load at failure of orthodontic elastomeric chains

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of peracetic acid with glutaraldehyde on tensile load at failure of elastomeric chains after disinfection. Materials & Methods: Tensile load and extension to failure in 30 elastomeric chains were allocated in three groups was measured using Universal Testing Machine. The results were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test with a significant level at p<0.05. Results: Glutaraldehyde and peracetic acid decreased the tensile load and elongation to failure of elastomeric chains compared to the control (P=0.03 for tensile load and P=0.01 for extension to failure). There were no significant differences between these two disinfectants (P=0.07 for tensile load and P=0.09 for extension to failure). Conclusion: There tensile load and elongation to failure in chains decreased in both glutaraldehyde and peracetic acid, which is not clinically significant