Aim of the study: the current study aims to compare and contrast the force degradation of two distinct elastomeric chains after varying exposure times to popular mouthwashes in Iraq.Materials and Methods: Two control groups and six experimental groups each included 600 pieces of the elastomeric chains Elasto-Force and Super Elasto-Force. Pieces were stretched to a 25mm thickness, placed on pins set into an acrylic block, and kept at 37°C in artificial saliva. Throughout the testing time, the experimental groups were submerged in three different types of mouthwash for one minute each. Ten continuous thermocyclers (5-55°C) per day were conducted between cold and hot water baths. Six-time periods (beginning, 24 hours, 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks) were used to measure the forces. In order to compare the mean force between various elastomeric chains, mouthwashes, and times, the one-way ANOVA test and the t-test. The significance threshold was set at 0.05. Results: Over time, both types of elastomeric chains significantly lost force (71–75% at 6 weeks). At all times, the Super Elasto-Force created more force than the Elasto-Force elastomeric chain. Compared to other mouthwashes, chlorhexidine mouthwash had a substantially less impact on force degradation, with no discernible change when compared to control groups. Conclusions: The Super Elasto-Force provided a greater force level, according to these data, and there is a clinically significant difference between the two kinds of elastomeric chains. Instead of other chemicals, the mouthwashes' pH may contribute to force breakdown over time. Following Listerine (Total Care Zero) and Orthokin, mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine and chlorhexidine had the least impact on the force degradation of elastomeric chains, respectively.

Keywords: mouthwashes;  force degradation; elastomeric chain ; Iraqi population