The effect upon friction of the degradation of orthodontic elastomeric modules.

Orthodontic elastomeric modules are susceptible to degradation and deformation after time in the mouth. The aims of this study were to determine whether degradation of elastomeric modules significantly affects friction during sliding mechanics and to investigate whether there is a difference in the behaviour of elastomeric modules after storage in both in vivo and in vitro environments. An Instron testing machine was used to determine the friction generated by elastomeric modules on 0.