Mechanical characterization and structural analysis of elastodontic appliances under intraoral and artificial aging conditions

This study focused on the aging mechanism and degradation of mechanical and structural features of elastodontic appliances (EA) under artificial and intraoral aging to achieve oral myofunctional therapy with particular removable silicone elastomer devices. EAs artificially aged in saliva with different pH values were investigated through cyclic compression testing along with characterization techniques (Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), and characterization analysis was also performed on clinically retrieved EAs. Artificial aging was found to have minimal effect on the structural properties of EAs, and intraorally aged samples showed perceptible micro-morphology. The Mullins index and peak stress decreased (P