Effect of White Light-Emitting Diode Illuminants Recommended by the CIE on Colors of Dental Ceramic Materials

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate color inconstancy of dental ceramics under the white light-emitting diode illuminants recently proposed by the CIE. From spectral reflectance factors of 18 dental ceramics (VST, NSP, and IEC; shades A1, A2, A3, A3.5, B2, and C2), the corresponding colors under illuminant D65 and CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric Observer were computed for all samples, using the chromatic adaptation transform CIECAT16. CIEDE2000 color differences between dental ceramics illuminated by CIE D65 standard illuminant and different white LED illuminants were calculated. Perceptibility and acceptability thresholds (PT00 and AP00) in dental ceramics were used to analyze color changes. Color gamut size was within the same range for all illuminants and for all ceramics, since MCDM computed values were 4.1–4.4 for VST, 4.0–4.2 for NSP, and 4.3–4.6 for IEC. For all ceramics and shades, the color inconstancies were higher than 50:50% PT00 and, in general, lower than 50:50% AT00. The effect of CIE-proposed LED illuminants on dental ceramic is perceptible and slightly lower than on natural teeth. Dental clinicians should consider these lighting effects on the visual appearance of dental ceramics.