Opalescence and fluorescence properties of indirect and direct resin materials

Performance of two-flux and four-flux models for predicting the spectral reflectance and transmittance factors of flowable dental resin composites

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prediction accuracy of the Kubelka-Munk Reflectance Theory and other more innovative two-flux and four-flux models for predicting the reflectance and transmittance factors of two flowable dental resin composites of various thicknesses within clinically acceptable color difference.

METHODS

Cylindrical samples of Aura Easy Flow resin composite (Ae1, Ae2, Ae3, Ae4 shades) and Estelite Universal Flow SuperLow resin composite (A1, A2, A3, A3.5, A4, A5 shades) were prepared with thicknesses ranging from 0.3 mm to 1.8 mm. Their reflectance and transmittance factors were measured with a spectrophotometer based on an integrating sphere, and were also predicted by 3 different two-flux models and 2 different four-flux models. The accuracy of reflectance and transmittance factor predictions was assessed using the CIEDE2000 color distance metric and 50:50% acceptability and perceptibility threshold criteria.

RESULTS

Eymard's four-flux model is found to be the most accurate for predicting the spectral reflectance and transmittance factors, with 85% (resp. 100%) of all color deviations below the acceptability threshold, and below the perceptibility threshold for 40% (resp. 57%) of the samples with thickness ranging from 0.3 to 1.8 mm in reflectance (resp. transmittance) mode. The Kubelka-Munk Reflectance Theory is found to be the least accurate model for predicting the spectral reflectance and transmittance factors of dental resin of thickness ranging from 0.3 to 1.8 mm.

SIGNIFICANCE

Eymard's four-flux model enables to predict the color of slices of dental materials within acceptable color differences. Eymard's four-flux model's optical parameters thus describe light-matter interactions in dental materials more accurately than state of the art Kubelka-Munk Reflectance Theory.

Effects of polishing procedures on optical parameters and surface roughness of composite resins with different viscosities

The aims of this study were to evaluate the optical properties of flowable and injectable composites after polishing, such as translucency (translucency parameter [TP], TP₀₀), opalescence (OP-BW), chroma (C*ab), refractive index (RI), and change in surface roughness (Ra, Rz). Ninety disc-shaped samples were prepared from micro-hybrid, flowable, and injectable composites and divided into 3 groups according to the polishing systems (n=10). The RI was measured with an Abbe refractometer, and optical measurements were performed with a spectrophotometer. The surface roughness was measured with a two-dimensional profilometer. Data were analyzed with the generalized linear model method and two-way analysis of variance. The results showed that the polishing procedure did not significantly impact the RI (p=0.987). Injectable composite had the highest translucency (TP=28.67; TP₀₀=13.49) and opalescence (OP-BW=13.11); showed the lowest C*ab value (17.95). Also, the effects of the composite type and polishing procedure on surface roughness were statistically significant (p=0.047 and p<0.001).

Optical Properties, Microstructure, and Phase Fraction of Multi-Layered Monolithic Zirconia with and without Yttria-Gradient

The differences in the optical properties of multi-layered zirconia with and without yttria-gradient are not fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the optical properties, related microstructures, and phase fractions of multi-layered zirconia with and without yttria-gradient. For this, multi-layered zirconia of 5 mol% yttria (5Y) stabilized (Katana STML) and 4Y/5Y stabilized (e.max MT Multi) were cut layerwise, sintered, and analyzed using the opalescence parameter (OP), average transmittance (AT%), translucency parameter (TP), and contrast ratio (CR). The average grain size and phase fractions were obtained from field-emission scanning electron micrographs and X-ray diffraction patterns, respectively. Although the TP values of Katana STML and e.max MT Multi did not show a significant difference (except for transition layer 1), the results of AT and CR showed that the translucency of e.max MT Multi was slightly higher than that of Katana STML (p < 0.05). The opalescence gradient was higher in Katana STML than in the e.max MT Multi. In both zirconia types, translucency increased from the dentin to enamel layer based on the AT, TP, and CR results, while OP decreased (p < 0.05). The higher translucency from the dentin to enamel layer in Katana STML was caused by the pigmentation gradient, while in e.max MT Multi, it was caused by the difference in phase fraction and the pigmentation gradient.

In vitro evaluation of composite resin fluorescence after natural aging

Background

Some composite resins contain luminophorous agents in order to reproduce tooth fluorescence. The objective of this study was to compare the fluorescence spectra emitted by composite resins with those of human enamel and dentin, and their emission behaviour after a 90-day natural aging period.

Material and Methods

Nine shades of the composite resins Z350XT/3M (XT), Opallis/FGM (OP) and Empress Direct/Ivoclar-Vivadent (ED) were analyzed. Five specimens (10.0 mm x 2.0mm) were fabricated for each shade. Enamel (5.0 mm x 0.30 mm) and dentin (5.0 mm x 1.0 mm) specimens were obtained from sound human third molars. Fluorescence spectra of human dentin and enamel as well as the composite specimens immediately after fabrication were measured at the excitation peaks of 375, 395 and 410 nm. To assess composite resin fluorescence intensity changes over time, measurements were conducted after 30, 60 and 90 days, at 395 nm. Differences in fluorescence intensity over time were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05).

Results

Fluorescence spectra baseline values of composites demonstrated no differences in intensity among the excitation peaks tested, with maximum emission found at the peak of 450 nm. Enamel and dentin spectra varied with different excitations, and the greater the excitation, the longer the wavelength in comparison to composite resins. After 90 days, XT presented an increase in fluorescence intensity, while OP and ED showed a reduction when compared with baseline values.

Conclusions

Fluorescence intensity of composite resins changed during the period analyzed, with an emission behavior different from that of human enamel and dentin. The main changes occurred in the first 30 days. Key words:Composite resins, dental materials, fluorescence, fluorescence spectrometry.

Analysis of transmittance and degree of conversion of composite resins

The objective of this study was to evaluate and correlate light transmittance (T), initial degree of conversion (IDC), and degree of conversion after 24 hr (DC24) for 22 composite resins (CR) for enamel and dentin use. The transmittance (n = 10) was measured with a spectrometer at a wavelength of 468.14 nm. The degree of conversion (DC; n = 5) was measured with Fourier Transform Near-Infrared Spectroscopy before polymerization, immediately after photoactivation, and 24 hr after photoactivation. Both sets of values are provided as percentages. ANOVA and Games-Howell (α = 5%) tests showed that Filtek Supreme Ultra gave the highest T values of all enamel CRs, while Esthet-X HD presented the lowest. Meanwhile, Venus diamond gave the highest values of all dentin CRs, while Esthet-X HD gave the lowest. For IDC and DC24, ANOVA showed differences between individual CRs and the two CR types (p < .0001). Despite the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that there was no correlation between T and either IDC or DC24 (p > .05); however, IDC and DC24 were strongly correlated (p < .05) by Pearson's correlation. That being said, as a higher DC reflects better mechanical properties, certain conclusions can be drawn about overall performance. The best IDC values were observed for the Opallis enamel resin and the Opallis and Premise dentin resins. Meanwhile, the best DC24 values were observed for the Opallis, Charisma, and Premise enamel resins and the Opallis and Premise dentin resins. Degree of conversion and light transmittance showed differences between composite resin types (enamel and dentin) and brands. It is important to know at the moment of composite choice taking into account mechanical and optical properties.

Influence of Hydrogen Peroxide Bleaching Gels on Color, Opacity, and Fluorescence of Composite Resins

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 20% and 35% hydrogen peroxide bleaching gels on the color, opacity, and fluorescence of composite resins. Seven composite resin brands were tested and 30 specimens, 3-mm in diameter and 2-mm thick, of each material were fabricated, for a total of 210 specimens. The specimens of each tested material were divided into three subgroups (n=10) according to the bleaching therapy tested: 20% hydrogen peroxide gel, 35% hydroxide peroxide gel, and the control group. The baseline color, opacity, and fluorescence were assessed by spectrophotometry. Four 30-minute bleaching gel applications, two hours in total, were performed. The control group did not receive bleaching treatment and was stored in deionized water. Final assessments were performed, and data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests (p&lt;0.05). Color changes were significant for different tested bleaching therapies (p&lt;0.0001), with the greatest color change observed for 35% hydrogen peroxide gel. No difference in opacity was detected for all analyzed parameters. Fluorescence changes were influenced by composite resin brand (p&lt;0.0001) and bleaching therapy (p=0.0016) used. No significant differences in fluorescence between different bleaching gel concentrations were detected by Tukey test. The greatest fluorescence alteration was detected on the brand Z350. It was concluded that 35% hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel generated the greatest color change among all evaluated materials. No statistical opacity changes were detected for all tested variables, and significant fluorescence changes were dependent on the material and bleaching therapy, regardless of the gel concentration.

Effects of aging and HEMA content on the translucency, fluorescence, and opalescence properties of experimental HEMA-added glass ionomers

Changes in the translucency, fluorescence, and opalescence of experimental 10-50% 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)-added glass ionomers (HAGIs) after 5,000 cycles of thermocycling were determined and compared with those of commercial resin-modified glass ionomers (RMGIs). Changes in the translucency (TP), fluorescence (FL), and opalescence (OP) parameters were in the range of -3.5 to 0.2, -2.3 to 0.3 and -2.6 to 9.1 units respectively for HAGIs; and -0.9 to 0.3, -0.7 to 0.6, and 1.1 to 2.3 units respectively for RMGIs. Changes in the TP, FL, and OP of HAGIs were influenced by the HEMA content and powder shade, and were generally larger than those of RMGIs. Since the changes in TP, FL, and OP of experimental HAGIs were influenced by the HEMA content, there arises a need to determine the optimal HEMA ratio to attain high stability for these optical properties. In addition, results of this study showed that apart from optimal HEMA ratio, future studies should include other aspects and factors that contribute to age-dependent changes in optical properties.

Color stability of indirect composite materials polymerized with different polymerization systems

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the color stability of two indirect composite materials (Sinfony and Pearleste) polymerized with different laboratory polymerization systems. Disk specimens were prepared with their proprietary polymerization systems (Visio and Pearlcure systems) or with a metal halide light polymerization unit (Hyper LII) for 60, 120, and 180 s. After storage at 37 degrees C for 24 h, the specimens were immersed in either purified water or tea. Color change between baseline evaluation and after 4 weeks was determined with a dental chroma meter (ShadeEye NCC) using black and white backgrounds. CIE 1976 L(*)a(*)b(*) values were determined, and they were converted into DeltaE(*)(ab) values. The DeltaE(*)(ab) value of the Sinfony material immersed in tea was the highest when the material was polymerized with the proprietary Visio system. The Pearleste material immersed in purified water and tea was not affected substantially by the polymerization systems. Among the 12 groups polymerized with the Hyper LII units, DeltaE(*)(ab) values of 11 groups were significantly lower for the Pearleste material than for the Sinfony material. It can be concluded that the Pearleste material was stable against color change when the material was polymerized with either the Pearlcure system or with the Hyper LII unit.