Color stability of resin cements after accelerated aging

The color stability of both light- and dual-polymerized samples of three shades of three commercial resin cements was measured using a reflection spectrophotometer after accelerated aging over a period of 179 hours. Porcelite cement was the most color stable, followed by Optec and then 3M. The Optec and Porcelite cements changed color after accelerated aging, but with one exception the changes were not perceptible. Five of six 3M cements had perceptible color changes after accelerated aging, becoming darker and more yellow. The two lighter shades of Optec and 3M changed color more than the darker shade. Most differences between light- and dual-polymerized samples were significant but none was perceptible.