“Effect of Ionizing Radiation on Mechanical Properties of Two Esthetic Restorative Materials and on Microhardness and Surface Topography of Primary Teeth

Abstract

The pediatric patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer need multidisciplinary approach for dental management because of the side effects of this treatment. Beside the temporary consequences such as loss of taste, sensitive soft tissues, and fungal infections, some side effects are more permanent such as atrophic muscles, change of bacterial microflora and proteins. In addition, clinically, a rapid deterioration of the dental hard tissues, which consists of enamel, dentin, and dentinoenamel junction, could be observed as a side effect of radiation therapy.

Accordingly, this study is formulated to evaluate the effects of irradiation on four mechanical properties of a bulkfill composite resin and a high viscous glass ionomer cement (shear bond strength, flexural strength, microhardness, and surface roughness) and on microhardness and surface topography of primary teeth.