Effect of Energy Drinks on the Inorganic Composition of a Composite Resin Material

Composite resins are used in Dentistry to perform direct aesthetic restorations, and are a material whose properties can be influenced by the diet of the individual, especially in the face of the action of beverages with acid pH, such as energy drinks. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of two energy beverages on the chemical composition of a nanoparticulate composite resin, at two-time intervals. Filtek Z350XT (3M/ESPE) composite resin was used to produce thirty-six specimens (discs) of 6.0mm x 1.5mm dimensions. The specimens were initially immersed in distilled water for 24h at 37oC and then randomly divided into two groups (n=18); according to the immersion time: 1 month (T1) and 3 months (T2); and in three subgroups (n=6) referring to immersion solutions: distilled water (control) and two energy beverages (RedBull and Monster). The inorganic composition of the specimens was measured by a spectrometry. The data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. The main inorganic elements of this restorative material were respectively: zirconium (Zr), silicon (Si) and calcium (Ca), which reduced its percentage after immersion time. RedBull was the most active solution, promoting losses of the mineral Si after 1 month of immersion, of Zr, after 3 months, and of Ca after 1 month and after 3 months. Monster influenced losses only in Si, after 1 month. Distilled water did not induce significant losses. Thus, the two energy beverages reduced the inorganic percentage of the nanoparticulate composite resin evaluated in this research.