Effect of sports and energy drinks on the mechanical properties of dental restorative materials: an in vitro study

Sports beverages are gaining popularity, particularly among physically active young individuals. In conservative dentistry, the impact of acidic functional drinks on restorative materials is a significant concern. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to comprehensively compare resin-based composites (RBCs), resin-modified glass ionomers (RMGIs), and conventional glass ionomers (GIs) across mechanical properties, including diametral tensile strength (DTS), Vickers hardness (HV), elastic modulus (E H ), and flexural strength, following exposure to commercially available sports and energy drinks (with their sugar-free counterparts), providing clinically relevant information for restorative material selection. Three hundred and fifty-seven specimens of each restorative material in shade A2 were prepared using silicone molds. All samples were stored in distilled water for 24 h and subsequently immersed in six sports and energy drinks and distilled water (control group) for three time periods: 6, 30, and 60 h as an accelerated in vitro aging model designed to simulate cumulative acidic exposure. After immersion, HV, DTS, and three-point bending tests were performed. Material type significantly affected all evaluated properties (all p < 0.001). Immersion medium significantly affected HV and E H (both p < 0.001) and flexural strength ( p = 0.004), but not DTS ( p = 0.124). Exposure time significantly affected HV and E H (both p < 0.001), whereas its main effect on DTS and flexural strength was not significant. Material- and medium-specific interactions indicated that no single acidic functional drink caused the greatest impairment across all outcomes. After 60 h of exposure to sports and energy drinks, HV decreased by up to approx. 40% in conventional GIs and by up to 25% in RMGIs compared with distilled water controls. DTS, E H , and flexural strength exhibited more moderate and material-dependent changes. Within the limitations of this accelerated in vitro aging model, sports and energy drinks produced material- and property-dependent changes in the mechanical behavior of restorative materials. Glass ionomer-based materials were generally more susceptible than resin-based composites, particularly in terms of hardness. These findings may support dietary counseling and material selection in patients who frequently consume acidic functional drinks, but they should not be extrapolated directly to clinical restoration longevity.