One-shade versus multi-shade flowable composites for non-carious cervical lesions: color match and 18-month clinical performance in a double-blind, split-mouth randomized trial

This double-blind randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the objective color match and clinical performance of a one-shade flowable composite (Vittra APS Unique Flow, FGM) compared with a multi-shade flowable composite (Opallis Flow, FGM) in the restoration of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs).

A total of 124 NCCLs were restored in 62 participants (n = 62 restorations per material) in a randomized, split-mouth, multicenter design. Objective color parameters (ΔE_ab and ΔE₀₀) were assessed using a spectrophotometer by comparing the cervical third before and after restoration and the cervical and middle thirds after restoration at 7 days. Clinical performance was assessed using FDI criteria at baseline and after 6, 12, and 18 months. Data were analyzed using paired Student's t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (α = 0.05).

No significant differences between the one-shade and multi-shade composites were detected for ΔE_ab or ΔE₀₀ in either objective color comparison (p > 0.05). At 18 months, retention rates were 98.4% for the one-shade composite and 100% for the multi-shade composite, with no significant difference between materials. No significant differences were observed for the remaining functional, biological, or esthetic FDI criteria, except color match (A3), for which the multi-shade composite showed a higher frequency of clinically excellent/very good scores (p = 0.008). All restorations evaluated for color match remained clinically acceptable.

The one-shade flowable composite showed favorable 18-month clinical performance, with no significant differences in objective color measurements compared with the multi-shade composite. However, visual color matching favored the multi-shade material at 18 months, although all restorations evaluated for color match remained clinically acceptable.

One-shade flowable composites may simplify NCCL restorations by eliminating shade selection while maintaining favorable clinical performance and clinically acceptable color match.