AN IN VITRO COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE MOUTH RINSES (ALCOHOL CONTAINING AND ALCOHOL FREE) ON THE MICROHARDNESS OF A NANOFILLED COMPOSITE RESIN RESTORATIVE MATERIAL

Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of commercially available mouth rinses (alcohol containing and alcohol free) on the micro hardness of nanofilled composite restorative material. Materials and Methods: 75 discs of nanofilled composite resins were prepared, measuring 4 mm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness. The composite resin specimens prepared were kept in artificial saliva for 24 hours to simulate oral environment. The specimens were divided randomly into three groups with two subgroups in Group A and Group B each containing 15 specimens (n=15). Samples were immersed according to groups. In Group-A subgroup 1, in alcohol-containing mouthwash- Listerine, Group-A subgroup 2, in alcohol-containing mouthwash- Colgate Plax. Group-B subgroup 1, in non alcohol-containing mouthwash- Everfesh. Group B subgroup 2, in non alcohol-containing mouthwash- Hiora. Group C, The control group consists of distilled water. Samples were immersed for 24 hrs in respective test groups. The post-immersion microhardness testing was done using Vickers microhardness Tester. Results: Statistical analysis was done using one-way ANOVA followed by Studentt test. Significant reduction in the microhardness was observed in both the groups after immersion in the mouth rinses compared to the control group. Group A showed statistically significant difference when compared to Group B. Conclusion: Both the mouthrinses showed a reduction in the microhardness of nanofilled composite resins with Listerine group (Group A subgroup 1) showing the highest reduction in microhardness value.