Impact of red propolis addition on the color stability and surface roughness of glass ionomer cements.

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the surface roughness (SR) and color stability of conventional restorative glass ionomer cements (GICs) modified with the addition of red propolis ethanolic extract (RPEE) as an antimicrobial agent.

Methodology: Four GICs (Riva, Maxxion, Vidrion, and Ketac) were used with the addition of RPEE at concentrations of 11% and 20%. For the control groups, the GICs were manipulated according to the manufacturers' instructions. SR was assessed using a surface profilometer. For the color variation analysis, the specimens' colors were measured in the CIE Lab* color space using a spectrophotometer. The Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's test, was used to evaluate statistical significance.

Results: The addition of RPEE did not negatively affect the SR of Riva, Maxxion, and Ketac GICs (p = 0.796, p = 0.111, and p = 0.858, respectively). By contrast, a significant reduction in SR was observed in Vidrion GIC with the addition of RPEE (p = 0.009). When comparing the different GIC brands, Riva and Ketac exhibited the lowest SR, with significant differences relative to Vidrion (p = 0.008) and Maxxion (p = 0.006). Both RPEE concentrations (11% and 20%) caused major color changes in all GICs tested, with no statistical differences between the two concentrations (p = 1.000), nor among the different GIC brands (p = 0.071).

Conclusion: The incorporation of RPEE into conventional GIC did not increase SR, though in the case of Vidrion cement, it resulted in a significant reduction of this parameter. Conversely, the addition of red propolis at both 11% and 20% concentrations caused significant and clinically unacceptable color changes in all tested cements, regardless of brand or concentration.