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Influence of thickness on color, translucency, and fluorescence of bioactive restorative materials
Ítalo C Carvalho1, Rayssa C Barbosa2, Carlos R G Torres1
1Department of Restorative Dentistry, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University- UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
Purpose:
To evaluate the influence of thickness on the color, translucency, and fluorescence of bioactive restorative materials.
Methods:
Cylindrical specimens were prepared in 1 and 2 mm-thicknesses with bioactive materials (n= 12): bioactive composite (Activa BioACTIVE Restorative - ABR); alkasite (Cention N - CNN); glass-hybrid material (EQUIA Forte Fil - EFF); and bovine enamel/dentin - ED, as control. The color (CIELAB coordinates) of the specimens was measured using a spectrophotometer against a white and black background, and the translucency parameter (TP₀₀) was calculated. The fluorescence was assessed using a spectrofluorophotometer. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α= 0.05).
Results:
ABR and CNN exhibited reduced L*, a* and b* values over a white background at 2 mm compared with 1 mm. No differences in CIELAB coordinates were detected between the thicknesses when materials were measured against the black background. For both thicknesses, ABR exhibited the highest TP₀₀ values, and EFF the lowest. At 2 mm, CNN and ED presented similar translucency. ED showed the highest fluorescence values, followed by ABR, CNN, and EFF. The thickness influenced CIELAB parameters of the bioactive materials tested only when a white background was used. The bioactive composite exhibited a reduction in both L* and b* values as the thickness increased. In contrast, alkasite reduced only in L*, while glass-hybrid decreased in b*. As the thicknesses increased, the translucency parameter decreased for the bioactive restorative materials. The thicknesses had no effect on fluorescence of the materials.
Clinical Significance:
Variations in the thickness of bioactive materials affect CIELAB coordinates only when applied against a white background. Therefore, dentists should consider the intraoral background when using these materials. While thickness does not affect fluorescence, greater thickness reduces translucency.
