Comparative Evaluation of the Influence of Different Sports/Energy Drinks and Alcoholic Beverages on the Surface Roughness of Three Different Flowable Esthetic Restorative Materials: An In Vitro Analysis

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the surface roughness of three flowable esthetic restorative materials after exposure to sports/energy drinks and alcoholic beverages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 210 specimens of dimension (2cm diameter and 2 mm thickness) with giomer, compomer, and composite (70 samples with each esthetic material) were made with the help of plastic rings. The prepared samples were tested in six experimental sports/energy drinks (beer, whiskey, vodka, Gatorade, Red Bull, and Sting) and distilled water was considered as the control group. Profilometric analyses of all samples were recorded before immersing into the experimental and control solutions. Then, the samples were stored in the experimental and control group solutions for 5min for 30 days. The profilometric analysis was repeated after 30 days and records were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Flowable composite showed the minimum surface roughness, whereas the flowable compomer showed the maximum surface roughness in the present test conditions. When the erosive potential of the test solutions was evaluated, surface roughness values were more for sports/energy drinks when compared to that of alcoholic beverages. CONCLUSION: All the sports/energy drinks and alcoholic beverages evaluated in this study altered the surface roughness of the tested restorative materials. The effects ranged from slight to a markedly negative impact on the surface roughness of the test restorative materials.