Variations in the Shades of Contemporary Dental Ceramics: An In Vitro Analysis

Syed Rashid Habib,Abdulaziz Saud Al Rashoud,Salwa Omar Bajunaid,Hamad Ali Alnafisah,Mohammed Alqahtani,Turki Ali Safhi,Abdulaziz S Alqahtani,Abdulrahman Hamad Almajed

doi:10.3390/cryst11111288

Abstract

Background: To identify and compare the shade variations of various commonly used esthetic dental ceramics by calculating their total-color-difference (ΔE) and translucency parameter (TP) using a spectrophotometer. Methods: In total, 165 disc specimens from three shades (A1, B1, and C1) of five ceramic materials (N = 55/shade; n = 11/ceramic material group) were prepared (Metal-ceramic (MC), IPS e.max press (Emax-P), IPS e.max layer (Emax-L), Layered Zirconia (Zr-L) and Monolithic zirconia (Zr-M)). With a spectrophotometer, the L* a* b* values were obtained. Total color differences (ΔE = [(ΔL*)2 + (Δa*)2 + (Δb*)2]1/2) and translucency parameter (TP = [(L*B − L*W)2 + (a*B − a*W)2 + (b*B – b*W)2]1/2) were calculated. The statistical tests included ANOVA and Post hoc Tukey’s analysis (p < 0.05). Results: Significant differences (p = 0.000) were found between the groups for ΔE. Highest ΔE (A1) were found for Zr-L (80.18 ± 20) and lowest for Zr-M (62.97 ± 1.28). For B1, highest ΔE values were noted for MC (76.85 + 0.78) and lowest for the Emax-L (62.13 ± 1.49). For C1, highest ΔE values were found for the MC group (73.96 ± 0 67) and lowest for Emax-P (55.09 ± 1.76). Translucency variations between tested ceramics were revealed (p < 0.05). Highest TP values (A1) were found for Emax-L (2.99 ± 1.64) and lowest for Zr-L (0.35 ± 0.16). For B1, highest TP values were noted for Emax-P (3.50 ± 1.74) and lowest for MC (0.57 ± 0.40). For C1, highest TP values were found for Emax-P (4.46 ± 2.42) and lowest for MC (0.58 ± 0 48). Conclusions: Significant differences in ΔE and TP were found for tested ceramic groups. The color differences of the tested materials varied according to clinical acceptability, even with the selection of same color/shade. The color/shades of the various dental ceramics do not match with the vita shade guide tabs, to which they are compared most often. Shade differences are present between different lots of ceramic materials from the same or different brands.

Highlights

Dental ceramics are inert, highly biocompatible, and are considered the materials of choice for indirect restorations of the anterior teeth [1]
Shade differences are present between different lots of ceramic materials from the same or different brands
The data of this study revealed significant variations in the shades of the five investigated and tested ceramic groups with regard to the total-colordifference, i.e., ∆E and the translucency parameter, i.e., TP

Summary

Introduction

Highly biocompatible, and are considered the materials of choice for indirect restorations of the anterior teeth [1]. Dentists and the dental ceramists have always been trying to produce ceramic restorations with esthetically pleasing shape as well as most importantly a shade that matches with the adjacent teeth [3]. The visual selection involves the dentists, their assistants or staff, and the patient and their attendants Though this technique provides a quick, fast, and cost effective solution to the color matching step, this visual selection is subjective, requires skills, and varies among individuals. To identify and compare the shade variations of various commonly used esthetic dental ceramics by calculating their total-color-difference (∆E) and translucency parameter (TP) using a spectrophotometer. For C1, highest ∆E values were found for the MC group (73.96 ± 0 67) and lowest for Emax-P (55.09 ± 1.76). Shade differences are present between different lots of ceramic materials from the same or different brands

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion