Short answer

Designers should select materials that are resilient to common environmental exposures and consider how user interactions, like cleaning or consumption habits, might affect material performance over time.

Field
Final Production
Source
BMC Oral Health (2023)
Method
Experimental study
Sample
320 specimens (160 per composite type)
Evidence
Strong effect

Exposure to common beverages and mechanical abrasion from brushing significantly diminishes the surface hardness and increases the roughness of dental resin composites. This final production research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in BMC Oral Health. Using Experimental study with 320 specimens (160 per composite type), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should select materials that are resilient to common environmental exposures and consider how user interactions, like cleaning or consumption habits, might affect material performance over time.

Study
Final ProductionRecentStrong effect

Beverage and brushing degrade dental composite surface properties by up to 20%

Exposure to common beverages and mechanical abrasion from brushing significantly diminishes the surface hardness and increases the roughness of dental resin composites.

BMC Oral Health · 2023

01

Key Findings

  • 01Soft drinks had the most detrimental effect on surface properties.
  • 02Artificial saliva had the least detrimental effect.
  • 03Brushing exacerbated the negative changes in surface properties.
  • 04One composite (Grandio) showed greater loss of microhardness, while the other (Admira fusion) showed greater increase in roughness.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Designers should select materials that are resilient to common environmental exposures and consider how user interactions, like cleaning or consumption habits, might affect material performance over time.

How to apply

When designing products intended for regular contact with liquids or requiring frequent cleaning, evaluate material resistance to staining, etching, and abrasion. Consider incorporating surface treatments or choosing inherently more robust materials.

Project actions

  • 01When testing materials, ensure your simulated environmental conditions are as realistic as possible.
  • 02Consider how different user behaviours (e.g., cleaning, usage patterns) might affect material performance.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the impact of various beverages and brushing on the surface mechanical properties (hardness and roughness) of two different dental resin composites over a 30-day period.
MethodExperimental study
ProcedureSpecimens of two dental composites were subjected to immersion in artificial saliva (control), coffee, red wine, or soft drinks for 30 days, with one set also undergoing daily brushing. Surface hardness and roughness were measured at baseline and after 30 days.
Sample320 specimens (160 per composite type)
ContextDental materials science

Variables

IV["Type of beverage (artificial saliva, coffee, red wine, soft drink)","Presence or absence of brushing","Type of dental composite"]
DV["Surface hardness of the composite","Surface roughness of the composite"]
CV["Duration of immersion (30 days)","Frequency of immersion (3 times daily)","Duration of brushing (5 seconds)","Temperature of beverages (implied ambient)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Controlled experimental conditions.
  • +Comparison between two different composite materials.
  • +Inclusion of both beverage exposure and brushing as variables.

Limitations

The study used specific dental composites; results may vary for other material types. The simulated oral environment is a simplification of real-world conditions.

Reliability & validity

The study employed standardized measurement techniques for surface hardness and roughness, and statistical analysis (ANOVA, t-tests) to assess differences, contributing to its reliability and validity. The use of a control group (artificial saliva) also enhances validity.

Think critically

How might the findings of this study be generalized to other composite materials used in different product categories, such as kitchenware or automotive interiors?

05

Design Principles

"Material durability is influenced by both inherent properties and environmental interactions."

Understanding how everyday use impacts material integrity is crucial for selecting durable materials in product design. This research highlights that even seemingly benign activities like consuming beverages and routine cleaning can lead to material degradation, affecting product longevity and user experience.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Using your teeth to open things or drinking sugary drinks can make your dental fillings rougher and weaker over time, especially if you brush them hard.

How to use in your project

  • 1.This study can inform the selection of materials for a design project by demonstrating the potential degradation of certain composites under specific conditions.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that common consumables like coffee and soft drinks, particularly when combined with mechanical abrasion from brushing, can significantly degrade the surface properties of dental resin composites, leading to increased roughness and decreased hardness. This highlights the importance of considering material resistance to environmental factors and user interaction in product design.

09

Source

BMC Oral Health

Change in surface properties of two different dental resin composites after using various beverages and brushing

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about beverage and brushing degrade dental composite surface properties by up to 20%?
Designers should select materials that are resilient to common environmental exposures and consider how user interactions, like cleaning or consumption habits, might affect material performance over time. Evidence: BMC Oral Health (2023).
Why does "Beverage and brushing degrade dental composite surface properties by up to 20%" matter for design?
Understanding how everyday use impacts material integrity is crucial for selecting durable materials in product design. This research highlights that even seemingly benign activities like consuming beverages and routine cleaning can lead to material degradation, affecting product longevity and user experience.
How can designers apply this research?
Designers should select materials that are resilient to common environmental exposures and consider how user interactions, like cleaning or consumption habits, might affect material performance over time.
What were the main findings?
Soft drinks had the most detrimental effect on surface properties.. Artificial saliva had the least detrimental effect.. Brushing exacerbated the negative changes in surface properties.. One composite (Grandio) showed greater loss of microhardness, while the other (Admira fusion) showed greater increase in roughness.
What research method was used?
Experimental study with 320 specimens (160 per composite type).
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from BMC Oral Health.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing products intended for regular contact with liquids or requiring frequent cleaning, evaluate material resistance to staining, etching, and abrasion. Consider incorporating surface treatments or choosing inherently more robust materials.
What are the limitations?
The study focused on specific beverages and a limited duration; long-term effects and a wider range of consumables or abrasive actions were not assessed. The mechanical properties tested were limited to surface hardness and roughness.