Surface roughness and color change of a composite: influence of beverages and brushing.

This study evaluated the influence of beverages and brushing on the surface roughness(SR) and color change(∆E) of a composite resin.For this, 120-disks(10 mm×2 mm) of composite resin(Filtek-Z250) were prepared and polished. Initials SR(Ra-μm) and color(CIELab-system) were measured with rugosimeter and spectrophotometer; specimens were divided into four groups(red wine, soft drink, sugar cane spirit, or artificial saliva=control) and three subgroups(without brushing; brushed with Colgate or with Close-Up). Specimens were immersed in the beverage 5×/day, for 5', over 30 day, being two subgroups brushed(120 strokes/day). Color was measuredat 15th day, 30th day and after repolishment; SR at 30th day. ∆E-values were statistically different after immersion in the beverages(p<0.05). Red wine promoted the highest alteration, followed by soft drink=sugar cane spirit and finally saliva. At 30th day, specimens exhibited ∆E higher than 15th day; after repolishing, ∆E was similar to 15th day. Beverages and brushing negatively influenced the SR. Therefore, ∆E and SR can be influenced by beverages and brushing.