Color match and stability of single-shade resin-based composites before and after artificial aging

To evaluate the color match and stability of single-shade resin-based composites (RBCs) in Class V restorations before and after ultra-violet light artificial aging.

Acrylic resin teeth of A1 and A3 were randomly assigned into seven groups to be restored with single-shade RBCs and universal-shade RBCs, shades A1 and A3. Standardized Class V cavities were restored using RBC and underwent accelerated aging for 480 hours. The color differences between RBC and Class V restorations for A1 and A3 were evaluated before and after artificial aging using a spectrophotometer.

All single-shade RBCs better color-matched the A1 tooth (P= 0.10 to P= 0.32), while universal-shade RBCs color better matched the A3 tooth (P= 0.03 to P= 0.87). Omnichroma was the only single-shade RBC that also color-matched the A3 tooth (P= 0.03). There was a statistically significant difference when comparing measurements before and after the aging only for Vittra APS Unique (P= 0.047) and Omnichroma (P= 0.038) and the A3 tooth.

When restoring Class V in teeth color A1, single-shade RBCs demonstrated comparable color matching to multi-shade resin composites even after 4 simulated years of service, however universal-shade RBCs were better options to restore Class V in teeth color A3.