In Vitro Study of the Action of Coconut Water and Sugarcane Juice on the Surface of Esthetic Restorations

Purpose: To evaluate, under scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the action of coconut water and sugarcane juice on the surface of esthetic restorations. Method: The sample consisted of 120 specimens, being 40 composite resin (CR) specimens, 40 conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) specimens and 40 resin-modified GIC specimens. The specimens were submitted to the beverages and to the positive control (Coca-Cola (R)) at three exposure intervals: 5, 15 and 30 minutes. After exposure, the specimens were prepared for SEM analysis. Data were analyzed descriptively considering the qualitative alterations of the sample. Results: There were alterations promoted by the sugarcane juice on the surface of the CR at the time points of 15 and 30 minutes and, on the surface of the conventional GIC at the three exposure periods. The coconut water only affected the surface of the CR at 15-and 30-minute intervals. The surface of the resin-modified GIC restorations did not present conditions to be evaluated at any of the time points. Conclusions: The sugarcane juice was able to promote surface alteration on the conventional GIC and CR, while the coconut water affected only the CR surface.