Surface quality and color stability of posterior composites in acidic beverages

Consumption of acidic beverages has been reported to alter the physical and esthetic properties of resin composites, which in turn can affect clinical success.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acidic beverages on surface roughness and color stability of Filtek™ Bulk-Fill posterior restorative composite in comparison with Filtek P60 posterior restorative composite.

Ninety composite discs were used for surface change analysis and another ninety were used for color change analysis.

Ninety Filtek P60 and Filtek Bulk-Fill composite discs were fabricated and divided into three subgroups according to the solutions - artificial saliva (control group), orange juice, and Coca-Cola^® (test groups). The samples were immersed in each beverage for 10 min each day for 56 days. To measure the surface roughness, a profilometer was used, and the surface was qualitatively analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. A reflectance spectrophotometer was used for assessing the color change.

Two-way analysis of variance was used to compare the surface alteration and color change values between the two composite groups and their respective three subgroups. Tukey's multiple post hoc test was performed for pair-wise comparison.

Filtek P60 had exhibited higher color change than Filtek Bulk-Fill in all immersion solutions. Coca-Cola resulted in highest staining in both the composites.

The surface roughness and color change of both composites increased significantly in acidic beverages and more in Coca-Cola. Bulk-fill exhibited better surface quality and color stability than P60.