Surface degradation evaluation of different self-adhesive restorative materials after prolonged energy drinks exposure

Aim To evaluate the effects of energy drinks and soft beverages on the surface degradation of different self-adhesive materials. Materials and methods A 156 disc shaped specimens of each of the following materials were prepared: Alkasite (Cention N, CN), High viscozity glass ionomer (Equia Forte, EF), Glass Carbomer (GCP Fill, GC) (n = 52). After specimen preparations, baseline surface roughness measurements were done using a 3D non-contact optical profilometer. Then, specimens were subdivided into 4 subgroups (n = 13) and stored in petri dish containing Red Bull; Burn; Coca-Cola and Distilled water. The surface roughness of the specimens were measured after 1-day, 1-week, and 1-month of immersion in beverages. Result It was observed that 1-month Red Bull immersion revealed the highest roughness difference (Delta Ra) for each self-adhesive restorative material and this was followed by Burn. Whereas, the lowest Delta Ra values were observed after 1-day coke and distilled water immersion in all tested material groups (P < 0.05). Coke and distilled water presented the energy drinks' 1-day immersion affect, after 1-week immersion (P < 0.05). Conclusion The energy drinks have a substantially damaging effect on roughness of self adhesive materials compared with soft drinks and distilled water; and this effect is increasing with exposure duration.