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The authors subjected these materials to continuous exposure to mouth-rinses and distilled water for 10 days. The materials were placed in mouth guards that had three holes, each of which contained a specimen of each type of restorative material, and volunteer patients wore the mouth guards 12 hours per day for 10 days. The patients rinsed twice daily with a commercial mouthrinse and after the 10 days, the materials were removed from the devices and were inspected. Strength and appearance of the materials were observed and compared.
Overall the study found that even long-term exposure to a mouthrinse containing essential oils has a minimal effect on the strength or surface of dental restorations of any kind.
J. Anthony von Fraunhofer, PhD, the lead author of the study, says that "this is a positive finding since patients are often concerned that rinsing the mouth with alcohol-containing mouthwashes could affect their fillings. Fortunately, this was found not to be the case."
However, because many mouthrinses do contain a wide variety of ingredients, Dr. von Fraunhofer is looking to see whether they may have an effect on dentures and even orthodontic appliances. These studies are in progress and are yielding some interesting information. He indicated that he will report his findings to General Dentistry as they become available.
What are restorative materials?
- Amalgams – silver/mercury mixture used for fillings
- Glass ionomers – material used to cement gold and ceramic crowns to teeth
- Composite resins – fillers that are tooth-colored