Evaluation of the surface roughness of compomer by laser scanning microscopy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of alcoholic and low pH soft drinks on the surface roughness of compomer restorative materials. There were five tested materials and four immersion media. Specimens were immersed in test solutions for a 10-day period at a temperature of 37 degrees C. Measurement of the surface texture was carried out using a laser scanning microscope (a non-contact laser stylus tracing method). This was also used to produce the Laser Scanning Microscope Image (LSM Image). Specimens immersed in orange juice and whisky displayed higher values for Ra & Rz than specimens immersed in soft drinks and deionized water. LSM Image showed a difference between the control and the examined side, especially for specimens immersed in low pH soft drinks this could be due to the erosive effect of the media. Alcoholic and low pH soft drinks caused deterioration of the materials surface, which may lead to a clinically detectable rough and dull surface.