Do whey protein beverages affect the microhardness of composites? A laboratory study

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Whey protein supplements may pose a risk to dental restoration surfaces.
• Factors like pH and lactose content in whey protein are potential concerns.
• Understanding these interactions is crucial for long-term restoration durability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of different whey protein beverages on the microhardness of four distinct dental restorative composites.
• To compare the effects of whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), and whey protein water (WPW) against distilled water (DW).
• To evaluate microhardness changes in composites with varying microstructures: Filtek Z 350XT, Filtek Z 250XT, Filtek Bulk Fill (FBF), and Filtek P60.

Main Methods:

• 160 disc-shaped samples of four composite types were prepared and polished.
• Samples were immersed daily for 30 days in WPC, WPI, WPW, or DW, with intermediate artificial saliva soaks.
• Microhardness was measured before and after immersion using a Microhardness Tester FM-800 and analyzed statistically.

Main Results:

• All tested composites, except Filtek Bulk Fill (FBF), showed a decrease in microhardness after immersion.
• Filtek P60 exhibited the most significant microhardness reduction.
• Whey protein concentrate (WPC) and whey protein isolate (WPI) caused a more pronounced decline in microhardness than whey protein water (WPW).

Conclusions:

• Whey protein beverages, especially WPC and WPI, negatively affect the microhardness of most dental composites.
• Filtek Bulk Fill (FBF) demonstrates superior resistance to degradation from whey protein exposure.
• The findings suggest potential risks associated with consuming whey protein supplements for patients with certain dental restorations.