Visibility of Recurrent Caries Through Universal Shade Resin Composite Restorations

This in vitro study aimed to investigate whether color differences in the stained cavity floor simulating recurrent caries can be detected using various restored resin composites. Artificial teeth were made with conventional resin composite (Estellite Sigma Quick A3; ET), and class V cavities were prepared. To simulate the color of caries, a dot was marked in the center of the cavity floor using four different magic pens. The cavities were filled with ET and two universal shade resin composites (UC, Omnichroma; OMI, Essentia Universal; ESS). For photographic analysis, a standard correction color chart was used. The color difference (ΔE₀₀) between (i) the lab value at the center of the cavity and (ii) the average lab value at 1 mm mesial and distal to the center of the cavity was calculated. The data were statistically746o-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). For visual analysis, 25 dentists were asked to complete a questionnaire to determine whether the color differences were noticeable. In the photographic analysis, UC showed larger ΔE₀₀ values than ET in all colors. Visual analysis revealed higher detection rates for UC than ET. Universal shade resin composite tends to reflect the color of the cavity more effectively than conventional resin composite.