Under clinical conditions, composite resins can suffer surface wear and degradation by coming in contact with oral fluids. What is true about this statement?

Under clinical conditions, composite resins can suffer surface wear and degradation by coming in contact with oral fluids. What is true about this statement?

• A. Both statements are TRUE.
• B. Both statements are FALSE.
• C. The first statement is TRUE; the second is FALSE.
• D. The first statement is FALSE; the second is TRUE.

Answer: (C)

The statement regarding composite resins suffering surface wear and degradation when they come in contact with oral fluids holds relevance in clinical dentistry. Composite resins are indeed susceptible to wear due to mechanical forces from chewing and the environment of the oral cavity, which includes contact with saliva, acidic beverages, and other constituents found in the mouth. The first part of the statement is true; clinical evidence supports that composite materials can face surface wear and degradation, resulting from their interaction with oral fluids as well as other factors such as abrasion from food and plaque. However, the second part of the statement is false if it implies all forms of oral fluids cause surface wear and degradation; this complex interaction can vary significantly based on the specific material type and formulation of the composite resin. Not all oral fluids cause degradation equally, and factors such as pH, composition, and the mechanical properties of the composite play a role in how these materials behave over time. Thus, the combination of the first statement being true—and the assertion about degradation being too generalized or inaccurately stated—leads to the conclusion that the first statement is true and the second is false, supporting the selected answer.

The statement regarding composite resins suffering surface wear and degradation when they come in contact with oral fluids holds relevance in clinical dentistry. Composite resins are indeed susceptible to wear due to mechanical forces from chewing and the environment of the oral cavity, which includes contact with saliva, acidic beverages, and other constituents found in the mouth.

The first part of the statement is true; clinical evidence supports that composite materials can face surface wear and degradation, resulting from their interaction with oral fluids as well as other factors such as abrasion from food and plaque.

However, the second part of the statement is false if it implies all forms of oral fluids cause surface wear and degradation; this complex interaction can vary significantly based on the specific material type and formulation of the composite resin. Not all oral fluids cause degradation equally, and factors such as pH, composition, and the mechanical properties of the composite play a role in how these materials behave over time.

Thus, the combination of the first statement being true—and the assertion about degradation being too generalized or inaccurately stated—leads to the conclusion that the first statement is true and the second is false, supporting the selected answer.