Changes in optical properties of aesthetic paediatric restorative materials following exposure to beverages: In-vitro study

Abstract Purpose Optical properties of recent aesthetic restorative materials must maintain an acceptable appearance throughout their functional lifetime. This study aimed to assess the changes in translucency and colour of recent resin-based restorative materials after exposure to beverages commonly consumed by children. Methods An experimental in-vitro study on 48 discs specimens prepared from; Group I: Filtek Z250 XT (Nanohybrid), Group II: Cention N (Alkasite bulkfill), and Group III: SDR flow Plus (Flowable bulkfill). The prepared disc specimens were randomly assigned into 4 subgroups (n = 12) according to the immersion solution: Subgroup A (control): distilled water, B: Coca-Cola, C: chocolate milk, and D: Orange juice. Translucency and colour measurements were done before immersion (baseline) and on day 30 of exposure. Statistical analysis involved Two Way Repeated Measures ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis test. Results The statistical analysis revealed that the restorative material, immersion time, and immersion solution had a significant effect on the change in translucency (p < 0.0001*, p < 0.0001*, p = 0.001*, respectively). Regarding colour changes, different immersion solutions had a statistically significant effect on Filtek Z250 XT and Cention N (p < 0.0001*). Distilled water and Coca-Cola were found to have a significant effect on colour change for all restorative materials investigated (p < 0.0001*, p = 0.003*). Conclusion the optical properties of resin-based restorative materials used in paediatric dentistry were notably affected by prolonged exposure to beverages commonly consumed by children.