Color Stability of Tetric® N-Ceram Bulk Fill Restorative Composite Resin after Immersion in Different Drinks

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the color stability of Tetric® N-Ceram Bulk Fill composite restorative material after immersion in three different (energy drink, protein supplement solution, and combination of energy drink and protein supplement solution) drinks. Materials and Methods: Composite resin disks, 2 mm in depth and 5 mm in diameter, were prepared from the Tetric® N-Ceram Bulk Fill composite restorative material. Specimens were tested after immersion and aging in energy drink (Red Bull) alone, protein supplement solution alone, and in combination with energy drink and protein supplement. Deionized water was used as a control group. Specimens were stored at room temperature of ±23°C for a period of one week in each drink. Color was assessed in the CIELAB using Color Eye 7000A Spectrophotometer. Color differences in different group specimens were measured. Mean values were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Further Tukey’s multiple comparison tests were applied to know the differences between the group of specimens. A p value of p < 0.05 was set as significance level. Results: N-Ceram Bulk Fill composite showed Δ L, Δ a, Δ b, and Δ E mean and standard deviation values when immersed in deionized water (–2.6 ± 3.24, 0.16 ± 0.19, 0.32 ± 1.26, and 3.51 ± 2.47), energy drink (–4.19 ± 4.24, 0.21 ± 0.21, 1.57 ± 1.32, and 5.40 ± 3.11), protein supplement (62.71 ± 12.48, –2.63 ± 0.7, 7.7 ± 5.67, and 63.45 ± 12.56), combined energy drink and protein supplement (68.52 ± 13.43, –4.06 ± 1.73, 10.94 ± 5.31, and 69.71 ± 13.42), respectively. All the color coordinates (Δ L, Δ a, and Δ b) showed statistically significant difference, p < 0.001. The color change of N-Ceram Bulk Fill composite specimens Δ E occurred by immersion in energy drink, protein supplement solution, and combined solution of energy drink and protein supplement after seven days was found to be statistically significant p < 0.001. Conclusion: The study’s finding suggests that the energy drink (Red Bull), protein supplement (ISOPURE), and combined immersion in energy drink and protein supplements caused perceptible and clinically unacceptable color change in the Tetric® N-Ceram Bulk Fill composite material. This color change was remarkably high with a combined immersion in energy drink and protein supplement solution.