Influence of anodized titanium abutment backgrounds on the color parameters of different zirconia materials

To characterize the color outcome on different zirconia types of various colored titanium backgrounds produced with a newly developed anodized technique.

Blue, green, pink and gold-colored titanium backgrounds were produced via different anodization voltage values. Non-anodized grey colored titanium was used as a control. A total of 40 disc-shaped zirconia specimens were prepared from four different zirconia types (Cercon HT, Noritake Alliance, Prettau, and Ice Zirkon). The zirconia specimens were placed on different titanium backgrounds to evaluate color differences (ΔE) by recording the L, a and b values. ΔE, ΔL, Δa and Δb values were compared for different titanium backgrounds and zirconia types. To analyze the results, repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni adjustments for pairwise comparison were used (α= 0.05).

The Cercon HT group had the highest ΔE value, while the Noritake group showed the lowest ΔE value (P< 0.05). ΔL, Δa and Δb values showed significant color changes depending on the color of the titanium background, the sintering procedure of zirconia and the zirconia ingredients (P< 0.05).

Anodized titanium abutments may improve color in esthetic regions when a ceramic abutment cannot be used. The study showed that the gold-colored titanium produced via anodization was better than other colors at producing a tooth-like color for implant-supported zirconia restorations. Also, by adjusting the color of zirconia restorations, the effect of the background could be altered using the zirconia sintering protocol.