Staining susceptibility of resin composite materials

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Color Science

Background:

• Dental resin composites are widely used restorative materials.
• Color stability is a crucial aesthetic factor for dental restorations.
• Understanding factors influencing color change is essential for material selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the color stability of three resin-based composites.
• To evaluate the impact of various staining agents on color change.
• To compare the staining susceptibility of polished versus unpolished composite surfaces.

Main Methods:

• 144 disc-shaped specimens of three composites (Essentia, Brillant, Inspiro) were prepared.
• Specimens were subjected to initial color measurement using a spectrophotometer.
• Samples were immersed in staining solutions (wine, curry, tea, coffee) or artificial saliva for 28 days at 37°C.

Main Results:

• All tested resin composites exhibited significant color changes (ΔE00) after 28 days of staining.
• Color change varied widely, from 1.1 to 32.5 ΔE00 depending on the material and staining agent.
• Unpolished samples demonstrated greater susceptibility to staining than polished samples.

Conclusions:

• The inherent composition of resin-based restorative materials influences their color stability.
• Surface polishing significantly enhances resistance to staining.
• Clinical recommendations should consider material type and surface treatment for aesthetic longevity.