Colour stability of composite resins: a clinical comparison

Ninety three Class III cavities were prepared in 66 patients, and restored with one of three resin-based restorative materials; a hybrid self-cure material, a microfine self-cure material, or a microfine light-cure material. Standard sets of clinical colour transparencies were used to evaluate colour match with the surrounding tooth and marginal discoloration over five years. After five years, all materials had become slightly darker, the microfine self-cure material significantly more so than the light-cure material. There was no significant development of marginal discoloration.