EFFECT OF SOAKING IN CITRIC ACID SOLUTION ON RMGIC SURFACE ROUGHNESS Irsan Ibrahim (a*), Tuti Alawiyah (a), Herlin Amelia (a), Juan Arini (2)
a) Lecturer, Department of Dental Material, Science, and Technology, Faculty of Dentistry, Prof. Dr. Moestopo University, Indonesia.
*irsan_henshin[at]yahoo.com
b) Bachelor of Dentistry Students, Faculty of Dentistry, Prof. Dr. Moestopo University, Indonesia.
Abstract
Background: Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement (RMGIC) is a dental restorative material that is often used to prevent and inhibit caries development. The surface roughness of RMGIC is affected by exposure to acidic properties from daily consumption, such as drinks and foods containing citric acid (C6H8O7) as a weak organic acid which is used as a natural preservative and acidity regulator in various processed foods and beverages. Citric acid has the potential to reduce the quality of RMGIC over time. Objective: To analyze the effect of citric acid solution on the surface roughness of RMGIC with immersion time of 1 hour, 3 hours and 5 hours. Methods: This research is a laboratory experiment with pre-test post-test method. Using RMGIC chip specimen samples soaked in citric acid solution with pH 3 for 1 hour, 3 hours and 5 hours. Surface roughness is then measured using a profilometer. Result: There was a significant change between the surface roughness of the RMGIC specimen material before and after immersion in citric acid in the three-time groups. Conclusion: This roughness evaluation has clinical implications such as adhesion to food residue, resistance to abrasion, and material interaction with surrounding tissue. In addition, this evaluation can help in identifying risks to the patient^s dental health and dental restoration. Dentists need to advise patients to change their diet by reducing or avoiding drinks that contain citric acid solutions, such as fizzy drinks or sour fruit drinks.
