Aim of the Study: To evaluate the translucency, microhardness, and fracture toughness of two CAD/CAM materials (IPS e.max CAD and Vita Enamic) after immersion in two acidic beverages (Coffee and Coca-Cola).
Materials and methods: A total of 36 samples were equally divided into two groups each (n=18) as follows, Group I: IPS e.max CAD and Group II: Vita Enamic. Each group was further subdivided into two subgroups (n=9) according to the acidic beverage used, either Coffee, or Coca-Cola. Samples were immersed in acidic beverage solutions for three weeks, after which all samples were subjected to measure the translucency parameter using a Reflective Spectrophotometer and then using Vickers Micro-Hardness Tester to measure surface microhardness and fracture toughness. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post-hoc test if showed significance. Student t-test was done between main groups, while Two-way ANOVA compared the effect of each factor.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference between IPS e.max CAD and Vita Enamic regarding translucency. Significant difference in surface microhardness, and fracture toughness after immersion in two acidic beverage solutions was revealed.
Conclusions: Acidic beverages can adversely affect the translucency of glass-ceramic and hybrid ceramic materials. Microhardness and fracture toughness of different CAD/CAM esthetic materials was negatively affected secondary to exposure to beverages with low pH values.