Evaluation of Staining-Dependent Colour Changes in Resin Composites Using Principal Component Analysis

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Dental Biomaterials
• Colorimetry

Background:

• Dental composites are susceptible to discoloration from common beverages.
• Understanding the staining potential of various drinks is crucial for material longevity and aesthetics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the color changes in Gradia Direct™ composite after immersion in common staining agents.
• To compare the staining efficacy of tea, coffee, red wine, Coca-Cola, and mouthwash.

Main Methods:

• Immersion of composite samples in various staining solutions (tea, coffee, red wine, Coca-Cola, mouthwash, distilled water).
• Color change analysis using CIELAB color coordinates.
• Surface reflection analysis using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on reflection spectra.

Main Results:

• Tea, coffee, and red wine demonstrated significant staining potential, with total color changes of 4.31, 6.61, and 6.22, respectively.
• Stained samples showed reduced reflection in the blue spectral range, indicating a loss of blue shade.
• Coca-Cola exhibited a minor staining effect on the composite material.

Conclusions:

• Beverages like tea, coffee, and red wine pose a considerable risk of discoloration to dental composites.
• PCA and CIELAB analysis are effective methods for quantifying and understanding composite staining.
• Gradia Direct™ shows susceptibility to staining, particularly from highly pigmented beverages.