Effect of the amount of thickness reduction on color and translucency of dental monolithic zirconia ceramics

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of amount of thickness reduction on color and translucency of dental monolithic zirconia ceramics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred sixty-five monolithic zirconia specimens (16.3 mm x 16.3 mm x 2.0 mm) were divided into 5 groups (Group I to V) according to the number of A2-coloring liquid applications. Each group was then divided into 11 subgroups by reducing the thickness up to 1.0 mm in 0.1-mm increments (Subgroup 0 to 10, n=3). Colors and spectral distributions were measured according to CIELAB on a reflection spectrophotometer. All measurements were performed on five different areas of each specimen. Color difference (DeltaE*(ab)) and translucency parameter (TP) were calculated. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and multiple comparison Scheffe test (alpha=.05). RESULTS: There were significant differences in CIE L* between Subgroup 0 and other subgroups in all groups. CIE a* increased (0.523.7) were obtained between Subgroup 0 and other subgroups. TP values generally increased as the thickness reduction increased in all groups (R2>0.89, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Increasing thickness reduction reduces lightness and increases a reddish, bluish appearance, and translucency of monolithic zirconia ceramics.

Evaluation of color matching ability according to the color temperature and the experience of practitioner / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of different experience level and different light source on shade selection ability comparing prosthodontist group and dental student group under 4,000 K and 5,500 K light. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After color difference of Vitapan 3D-master shade guides was measured, 3 sets of 5 shade tabs were selected with similar value but have different chroma (set a, b, c). Also 3 sets of 5 shade tabs were selected with similar chroma but have different values (set d, e, f). Under 4,000 K and 5,500 K light sources, ten prosthodontists and ten dental students were allowed to match in one set of 5 tabs the same shade tab with the tab which was originally selected in the other set of 5 tabs. Color differences of original tab and matched tab were measured by spectrophotometer and the shade selection ability was evaluated with those data. Evaluation of color difference value was performed in regard to different light conditions and different level of experience, followed by t-test with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Color difference values under 4,000 K and 5,500 K light source were 1.62 +/- 2.0, and 1.33 +/- 1.7 respectively. In addition, color difference values of prosthodontist group and dental student group were 1.34 +/- 1.7, and 1.61 +/- 2.0 respectively. Difference of shade selection ability was not found under either different light sources (P=.398), or different experience level (P=.221). CONCLUSION: Level of experience did not affect on the shade selection ability when prosthodontists and dental students matched the shades with the same shade tab under the same light source.

Difference in the color stability of direct and indirect resin composites

Indirect resin composites are generally regarded to have better color stability than direct resin composites since they possess higher conversion degree. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed at comparing the changes in color (ΔE) and color coordinates (ΔL, Δa and Δb) of one direct (Estelite Sigma: 16 shades) and 2 indirect resin composites (BelleGlass NG: 16 shades; Sinfony: 26 shades) after thermocycling. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Resins were packed into a mold and light cured; post-curing was performed on indirect resins. Changes in color and color coordinates of 1-mm-thick specimens were determined after 5,000 cycles of thermocycling on a spectrophotometer. RESULTS: ΔE values were in the range of 0.3 to 1.2 units for direct resins, and 0.3 to 1.5 units for indirect resins, which were clinically acceptable (ΔE<3.3). Based on t-test, ΔE values were not signifcantly different by the type of resins (p>0.05), while ΔL, Δa and Δb values were signifcantly different by the type of resins (p<0.05). For indirect resins, ΔE values were infuenced by the brand, shade group and shade designation based on three-way ANOVA (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Direct and indirect resin composites showed similar color stability after 5,000 cycles of thermocycling; however, their changes in the color coordinates were different.