Translucency thresholds for dental materials

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the translucency acceptability and perceptibility thresholds for dental resin composites using CIEDE2000 and CIELAB color difference formulas. MethodsA 30-observer panel performed perceptibility and acceptability judgments on 50 pairs of resin composites discs (diameter: 10mm; thickness: 1mm). Disc pair differences for the Translucency Parameter (ΔTP) were calculated using both color difference formulas (ΔTP00 ranged from 0.11 to 7.98, and ΔTPab ranged from 0.01 to 12.79). A Takagi–Sugeno–Kang (TSK) Fuzzy Approximation was used as fitting procedure. From the resultant fitting curves, the 95% confidence intervals were estimated and the 50:50% translucency perceptibility and acceptability thresholds (TPT and TAT) were calculated. Differences between thresholds were statistically analyzed using Student t tests (α=0.05). ResultsCIEDE2000 50:50% TPT was 0.62 and TAT was 2.62. Corresponding CIELAB values were 1.33 and 4.43, respectively. Translucency perceptibility and acceptability thresholds were significantly different using both color difference formulas (p=0.01 for TPT and p=0.005 for TAT). CIEDE2000 color difference formula provided a better data fit than CIELAB formula. SignificanceThe visual translucency difference thresholds determined with CIEDE2000 color difference formula can serve as reference values in the selection of resin composites and evaluation of its clinical performance.