The influence of varying layer thicknesses on the color predictability of two different composite layering concepts.

OBJECTIVE: Optical properties of teeth are mimicked by composite layering techniques by combining a relatively opaque layer (dentin) with more translucent layers (enamel). However, the replacing material cannot always optically imitate the tooth when applied in the same thickness as that of the natural tissues. The natural layering composite system is available in 2 concepts: (1) dentin (D) and enamel (E) have the same shade but with different translucencies; (2) D and E have different shades where E is always the same high translucent shade. The objective was to evaluate the influence of varying thicknesses of E and D composites on the overall color and on the translucency for both concepts. METHODS: For each concept three composite brands were tested; Concept 1: Clearfil Photo Bright (Kuraray), Herculite XRV Ultra (Kerr), Venus Diamond (Heraeus Kulzer); Concept 2: Amaris (VOCO), CeramX Duo (DENTSPLY) and Point4 (Kerr). Two specimens of each shade (A1-A3) per composite were made of standardized thicknesses with a poly-acrylic mold and Teflon cover, making 36 specimens of wedge-like dimension. The L*a*b* values were measured three times against a white and black background (n=216). Student's t-tests revealed significant levels between the average ΔE* values of the 3 areas for each composite. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found for all thicknesses and for all shades between the concepts. Concept 2 showed greater variations in ΔE* with increased thicknesses. SIGNIFICANCE: Concept 2 composites are more sensitive to layer thickness changes, which implicates less predictability in a daily clinical routine.

Data comparison between two dental spectrophotometers.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to clinically test whether the data from two different spectrophotometers, based on spot and surface measurements, can be compared. METHODS: Under standardized clinical conditions two devices (Vita Easyshade and Spectro Shade-Micro) were used to record the color of three areas (cervical, middle, and incisal) per tooth for three upper maxillary anterior teeth in 102 participants. Each position was measured three times to attain an average for the CIE L*a*b* coordinates and to attain the corresponding Vita Classical shade tab integrated in the software of both devices. Vita tabs were also described as L*a*b* values using earlier published translations so that color differences (ΔE) could be calculated between them. RESULTS: The regression analysis between the two devices showed that the independent correlation coefficients of the L*a*b* values are low. Yet when the suggested shade codes are compared with Vita colors instead of L*a*b*, 40% of the cases were equal and 51% were clinically acceptable. SIGNIFICANCE: According to this study the two devices do not give a comparable shade selection output, and thus the exchange of L*a*b* values between the two spectrophotometers cannot be recommended.