Surface roughness of contemporary resin composites after exposure to energy drinks

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three energy drinks (Red Bull^®, Volt^®, and 360 Energy Drink^®) on the surface roughness of three contemporary resin composites: Filtek Z350 XT, PALFIQUE LX5, and Vittra APS.

An in vitro experimental design was conducted with 108 resin specimens (n = 12 per group). After polishing, baseline roughness (Ra, µm) was measured using a profilometer. Specimens were immersed in one of the three beverages for 1 and 7 days, with daily renewal. Roughness was recorded at T₀, T₁, and T₂. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model with Sidak-adjusted post hoc comparisons (α = 0.05).

All resins composites exhibited a progressive increase in Ra from T₀ to T₂. Filtek Z350 XT showed the greatest resistance to surface degradation, while PALFIQUE LX5 and Vittra APS were more susceptible. Red Bull^® and 360 Energy Drink^® induced greater roughness increases than Volt^® (p < 0.05). Although most roughness values remained at or near the clinically accepted threshold of Ra ≤ 0.2 µm, a slight increase above this threshold was observed for PALFIQUE LX5 exposed to 360 Energy Drink^® at T₂. A significant resin × time interaction (p = 0.034) indicated that degradation patterns depended on composite type.

Energy drinks promoted measurable increases in the surface roughness of all evaluated resin composites. Filtek Z350 XT showed greater resistance to roughness changes, whereas PALFIQUE LX5 and Vittra APS demonstrated higher susceptibility to acidic degradation.