In vitro comparative effects of alcohol-containing and alcohol-free mouthwashes on surface roughness of bulk-fill composite resins.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the effects of alcohol-containing and alcohol-free mouthwashes on the surface roughness of bulk-fill composite resins. In this in-vitro, experimental study, 60 composite specimens measuring 6 mm in diameter and 2 mm in height were fabricated from Tetric N-Ceram and X-tra fil composite resins using a stainless-steel mold. After curing for 20 s, the specimens were immersed in distilled water and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. Baseline roughness was measured before dividing them into three groups for immersion in water, alcohol-containing, or alcohol-free Listerine for 24 h, simulating two years of use. The specimens were then dried at room temperature, and their surface roughness was measured again. Data was analyzed by two-way ANOVA and t-test (α = 0.05).

RESULTS: No significant change occurred in surface roughness of specimens after immersion in the respective solutions (P > 0.05). The type of composite and the type of solution had no significant effect on the surface roughness of specimens (P > 0.05). The results showed that Listerine alcohol-containing and alcohol-free mouthwashes had no significant effect on the surface roughness of the tested bulk-fill composite resins and no significant difference with each other in this respect.