The effect of home-bleaching application on the color and translucency of five resin composites

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of home bleaching agents on the color and translucency of resin composites.

Thirty disc shaped specimens (1mm thick) were fabricated from each resin composite (Reflexions, Grandio, Gradia Direct, Clearfil Majesty Esthetic, Ceram-X Mono) and divided into 3 subgroups as carbamide peroxide (CP, Opalescence 10% PF), hydrogen peroxide (HP, 10% Opalescence Treswhite Supreme) and control group (n=10). Baseline CIE L*a*b* color coordinates were measured with spectrophotometer and translucency parameters (TP) were calculated. CP and HP groups were treated with bleaching agents according to manufacturers' instructions and control group was stored in distilled water (DW) for 14 days. Color and translucency measurements were repeated and color differences were calculated, ΔE values>3.3 were considered as clinically unacceptable.

Clinically unacceptable color change was detected for all resin composites exposed to bleaching agents and there was significant color difference between the control group and bleached specimens (P<0.05). However no significant color difference was found between CP and HP groups. Intragroup comparison revealed that Ceram-X Mono showed the highest color change but there was no significant difference among the other tested materials for both CP and HP groups. Intergroup comparison of TP values of CP, HP and control groups at the end of 14th day revealed that there was no statistical significant translucency difference among the groups.

Application of CP and HP resulted in clinically unacceptable color change for all resin composites. Translucencies of the resin composites were not affected by bleaching procedure.

The results of this in vitro study suggest that patients should be informed regarding a potential color change of existing resin composite restorations with the use of home bleaching agents.