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Updated: Jul 14, 2025

Detection and Removal of Tooth-Colored Composite Resin Using the Fluorescence-Aided Identification Technique
Published on: July 27, 2022
Fluorescence of Esthetic Resin Composites: Spectrophotometry and Photography Analysis Techniques
Joana Cruz1, Raquel Eira1, Catarina Coito1
1Department of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa/Faculdade de Medicina Dentária da Universidade de Lisboa, Rua Professora Teresa Ambrósio, Cidade Universitária, 1600-277 Lisboa, Portugal.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the fluorescence of nine esthetic resin composite materials using two methods: spectrophotometry and photography analysis.
Materials And Methods:
Three specimens were made for each shade of resin composite (61 shades from 9 resin composites), for a total of 183 specimens. To obtain a control group, the crowns of three sound human incisors were prepared to obtain both enamel and dentin specimens. Fluorescence was measured using two methods: (1) a Spectroshade Micro fluorescence spectrophotometer (MHT Optic Research, Niederhasli, Switzerland) and (2) a photograph analysis using Adobe Photoshop CC software (version 2019.0.0, Adobe Systems, Inc.).
Statistical Analysis:
The results were statistically analyzed with an analysis of variance (α = 0.05) and with the Tukey-Kramer adjustment. The correlation between two techniques was analyzed by Pearson correlation test (α = 0.05).
Results:
Fluorescence was highly influenced by the brand of the resin composite and less influenced by the shade (chroma), except for opaquer and incisal shades, and there was almost no difference in opacity, except for incisal shades. There was a weak (r = -0.105) and statistically not significant correlation (p = 0.145) between photography analysis and spectrophotometry techniques.
Conclusion:
The fluorescence of esthetic resin composites is more dependent on the brand than on the shade or opacity.
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