{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]],"date-time":"2026-08-11T04:31:50Z","timestamp":1786422710394,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]],"date-time":"2026-08-11T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1786406400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Dent. Med."],"abstract":"\n Background<\/jats:title>\n Electron beam irradiation (EBI) is a non-chemical technique proposed for modifying dental materials, but evidence is contradictory. Some studies report gains in mechanical performance, others document discoloration, structural breakdown, or cytotoxicity at higher doses.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Objectives<\/jats:title>\n To systematically review effects of EBI on mechanical strength, surface characteristics, chemical stability, and biological responses in dental materials, and identify dose ranges where effects shift from beneficial to harmful.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods<\/jats:title>\n PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for laboratory studies published January 2001\u2013March 2026 using the terms \u201celectron beam irradiation\u201d and \u201cdental materials.\u201d Two reviewers independently screened records; a third resolved disagreements. Eligible studies were laboratory-based experiments evaluating dental materials under EBI. Data were extracted on post-irradiation mechanical, physicochemical, biological, and appearance outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using RoBDEMAT and QUIN; certainty was rated using a modified GRADE approach.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results<\/jats:title>\n Of 897 records identified, 18 studies met inclusion criteria. Materials tested included composites, nanocomposites, fiber-reinforced composites, denture base polymers, orthodontic bracket materials and adhesives, alloy-resin bonding systems, monolithic zirconia, acrylic resins, glass ionomer cement, dental irrigants, cast titanium, and zinc oxide eugenol. Doses ranged from 1 to 200\u2005kGy, with acceleration energies of 25\u2005kV\u201310\u2005MeV (two studies did not report beam energy). At low-to-moderate doses, most polymer-based materials showed improved flexural strength, fracture toughness, Vickers hardness, and wear resistance, whereas higher doses caused polymer degradation, discoloration, loss of structural integrity, and genotoxic\/cytotoxic effects. QUIN classified 4 studies (22%) as low risk, 12 (67%) as medium risk, and 2 (11%) as high risk of bias.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Limitations<\/jats:title>\n \n All evidence was\n in vitro<\/jats:italic>\n ; studies were heterogeneous in materials, doses, and outcomes; irradiation parameters were inconsistently reported; modified GRADE certainty was very low across all outcomes.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n \n Current\n in vitro<\/jats:italic>\n evidence indicates EBI modifies dental material properties, with mechanical improvements most consistent for dimethacrylate-based polymer systems at low-to-moderate doses (1\u2013100\u2005kGy), while color instability and dose-dependent degradation remain important barriers. Because the evidence base is entirely\n in vitro<\/jats:italic>\n and of very low certainty, findings are preliminary; dose-optimization and\n in vivo<\/jats:italic>\n studies are needed before clinical recommendations can be made.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Systematic Review Registration<\/jats:title>\n \n https:\/\/doi.org\/10.17605\/OSF.IO\/HAVT8<\/jats:ext-link>\n .\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fdmed.2026.1871959","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]],"date-time":"2026-08-11T04:20:19Z","timestamp":1786422019000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Dose-dependent effects of electron beam irradiation on dental materials: a systematic review of in vitro evidence"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"7","author":[{"given":"Shreya","family":"Chandrashekar","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, AB Shetty 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