[Color changes of light-cured composite resins. (1)]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the color changes of light-cured composite resins over specified periods of time. Composite resin disks which were 10 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness, and made by the 3M Co. light-cured composite resin Silux Plus (shades: U, Y, DY, L, G, UO, YO) were made with 2 minutes of light exposure through a 1 mm thick glass plate. The specimens were stored in 37 degrees C artical saliva. Chromatical values of the specimens immediately after curing, 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after curing were measured without background color, backed by a white plate. Color measuring was performed with the Murakami Color Research Laboratory Fast Spectrophotometer CMS-500 and the Flexible Sensor FS-3. 1) In the cases without background color, the delta E*ab values of all shades increased for 1 year proportionately to the time elapsed. In the cases backed by a white plate, the delta E*ab values of all shades increased for 6 months after curing, however, compared to the 6 month delta E*ab values, the 1 year delta E*ab values increased in some shades and decreased in other shades. 2) Both in the cases of with and without background color, compared to the delta E*ab values of immediately after curing, the 3 month delta E*ab values of all shades were over 1.2, and the 1 year delta E*ab values of many shades were near or over 2.5 and detectable to the naked eye. 3) Both in the cases of with and without background color, the L* values of all shades decreased for 6 months after curing. However, compared to the 6 month L* values, the 1 year L* values decreased in some shades and increased in other shades. 4) In the cases without background color, the a* values of all shades increased for 1 year after curing. In the cases backed by a white plate, the a* values of all shades increased for 6 months, however, compared to the 6 month a* values, the 1 year a* values of all shades decreased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)