A new approach to compare the esthetic properties of different composite materials

Color Match of Composite Resin and Remaining Tooth Structure over a Period of 28 Days Using Spectrophotometer-A Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVES

The tooth and the composite restoration can undergo a change in color after the restorative procedure over time. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the color difference (ΔE) of two types of composite resins and remaining tooth structure over a period of 28 days.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 40 teeth in 30 patients with Class IV caries or EllisClass II fracture in maxillary incisors were randomized into two groups based on the type of composite resin used for restoration: IPS Empress (n=20 teeth) and Filtek Z250 (n=20 teeth). Shade selection was done using a spectrophotometer. Restorations were performed using an anatomical layering technique, and finishing and polishing was done after 48 hours. Baseline spectrophotometer color values for the remaining tooth structure were measured before isolation and for composite restorations, 10 minutes after light cure. Further color evaluations using a spectrophotometer for the remaining tooth structure and composite restorations were done at 48 hours (both before and immediately after finishing and polishing), 7days, 14 days, and 28 days, and color difference (ΔE) from baseline values for remaining tooth structure and restorations and ΔE between remaining tooth structure and restorations were calculated. Descriptive statistics including mean, standard deviation, and frequencies were computed. Mann-Whitney U test was done to compare spectrophotometer values.

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in mean color difference (ΔE) from baseline values for both tooth (p<0.05) and composite restoration (p<0.05) at all evaluation periods in both groups. Filtek Z250 showed significantly lower mean ΔE between the tooth and the composite resin restoration than IPS Empress at 48 hours (before and after finishing and polishing), 7 days and 14 days (p<0.05). At the 28 day recall, mean ΔE value of IPS Empress restorations to tooth structure was 3.5, while the mean ΔE value of Filtek Z250 restorations to tooth structure was 3.6, which was not statistically different (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The remaining tooth structure as well as the composite restorations showed color changes at all evaluation periods, compared to baseline values in both the composite resin groups. Filtek Z250 exhibited less ΔE with remaining tooth structure at 48 hours, 7 days, and 14 days, when compared to IPS Empress. The composite restorations of both the groups reached clinically acceptable color match (mean ΔE<3.7) with the remaining tooth structure 28 days after the procedure.

Color match of resin composites to intact tooth structure

INTRODUCTION

The optical properties of dental restorative materials have a dramatic effect on patient esthetics, which may be compromised by the poor blending effect of composites resins at the composite-tooth interface.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the color-matching ability and the blending effects of 3 different composite resins when restoring natural teeth.

METHODS

Three commercially available composites and 60 central incisors were used for this experiment. Each tooth was sectioned horizontally at the level of the cementum-enamel junction, and the crown was then bisected along the long axis of the tooth. One half of each tooth was restored individually with composite resin, after matching with the corresponding tooth shade. The tooth color was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using an intraoral spectrophotometer and a scientific spectrophotometer. Color differences were then evaluated by the CIEDE2000 color difference formula.

RESULTS

The results showed the existence of color differences between the intact and the restored sections of the teeth. However, these differences were considered acceptable, since the ΔΕ value ranged below 3.3. The ΔE, Δa and Δb parameters showed no statistically significant differences between the groups (p&gt;0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The 3 composites tested were able to mimic natural teeth and produce acceptable restorations. However, the color of the resin composites needs to be evaluated over the long term, because it is subject to alterations in the oral environment over time.