Opalescence and color stability of composite resins: an in vitro longitudinal study

This study aims to evaluate the opalescence (OP) and color stability of composite resins over a period of 180 days and to compare composite resins' OP with enamel's OP.

Twenty human enamel specimens (5.0 × 0.3 mm) and 9 specimens (10.0 × 1.0 mm) of 10 colors of 4 different composite resins (3 M ESPE, FGM, Ivoclar-Vivadent, Miscerium) and one brand of adhesive (3 M ESPE) were made. The results were obtained by measuring the reflectance and transmittance spectra in the visible region. After baseline measurement, composites and adhesive were analyzed after 2, 7, 30, 60, 120, and 180 days. The Lab color coordinates were used in the calculations of the OP parameter and color differences in the CIELab and CIEDE2000 methods. The data were analyzed statistically.

The materials tested showed variation and an increase in OP over time. The OP found for enamel was 18.06 ± 2.99, and some resins showed higher results. There was a strong correlation between the coordinate b*T and the OP over time. Enamel Plus was the only one material that presented no color changes during all periods in both color analyses. Filtek Z350 XT, AT, and BT did not show differences in any time when analyzed by CIELAB.

The OP of most composite resins changed during the period of 180 days and was different from the OP of tooth enamel. In general, composites demonstrated small color changes over the period tested, being this characteristic material dependent.

Natural teeth present different optical properties. Composite resins restorations should present properties similar to natural teeth and it is important that characteristics like color and opalescence remain stable over time.