Digital Photocolorimetric Analysis of In Vitro Tooth Color Changes.

OBJECTIVE: Tooth color matching is challenging, and digital photocolorimetry using eLABor_aid (eLAB) provides objective evaluation through polarized photographs. However, its comparability with spectrophotometry remains unclear. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Bovine incisor root canals (n=30) were prepared to simulate an incomplete root apex. The teeth were randomly assigned to three groups based on intracanal medication: control (without medication); calcium hydroxide/propylene glycol; and triple-antibiotic paste (n=10 each). Tooth color was assessed using both eLAB and spectrophotometry. Measurements were taken at the crown medio-cervical region on five-time intervals (baseline, 1, 3, 7, and 14 days). Statistical analysis included two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, Sidak post hoc and Pearson's correlation test (α=0.05). RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the two methods for either medication or follow-ups (p>0.05). Triple-antibiotic paste exhibited higher color variation (p<0.05). After 7 days, all groups presented significant color changes (p<0.05). Moderate to high correlations (R2 from 0.51 to 0.84, p<0.0001) were found between both methods for all groups at all intervals. CONCLUSION: The eLAB is a reliable method for detecting tooth color changes, and its results are comparable to spectrophotometry analysis.

Clinical Tooth Color Matching: In Vivo Comparisons of Digital Photocolorimetric and Spectrophotometric Analyses.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the tooth color matching of two dental colorimetric methods: the spectrophotometric analysis (SPM) and the standardized digital photocolorimetric analysis (DPC). METHODS: The color of 60 maxillary central incisors of 30 volunteers (22.5 ± 7.6 years) was analyzed. In the DPC method, tooth photographs were standardized with the eLABor_aid protocol, processed with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom software, and the values of L*, a*, and b* were obtained with a Digital Color Meter software. For the SPM, L*, a*, and b* were measured directly with a handheld spectrophotometer. Data were submitted to paired t-test and Pearson correlation test (α=0.05). Mean color difference between the two methods was calculated with CIELAB formula. RESULTS: All color coordinates revealed different values when comparing DPC to SPM in the same tooth (p<0.0001). Mean color difference (ΔEab) between SPM and DPC was 11.5 ±3.1. A positive correlation was observed for L* (R2=0.73,p<0.0001), a* (R2=0.31, p=0.017), and b* (R2=0.83, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Even though the color coordinate values were different in both methods, they were correlated, revealing that the DPC is a viable alternative to determine the tooth color matching.

Fracture Resistance and Failure Mode of Custom-made Post-and-cores of Polyetheretherketone and Nano-ceramic Composite.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Custom-made post-and-cores of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and nano-ceramic composite showed good fracture resistance and failure mode. Clinicians should be aware that these materials might be an efficient alternative for post-and-cores, because they promote esthetics while reducing the risk of root fractures. SUMMARY: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance and failure mode of custom-made post-and-cores manufactured with different esthetic materials.Methods and Materials: A total of 48 mandibular premolar extracted teeth were selected, endodontically treated, and prepared to receive the posts. Specimens were randomly divided into four groups (n=12/group): group 1, polyetheretherketone (PEEK, Degos; G1); group 2, nano-ceramic composite (Lava Ultimate, 3M ESPE; G2); group 3, cast metal post (NiCr alloy, control; G3); group 4, fiberglass post (Whitepost, FGM, control; G4) customized with a nano-hybrid resin composite (Z250, 3M ESPE). Experimental post-and-cores (G1 and G2) were manufactured with a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing system. All posts were cemented with self-adhesive resin cement (Rely X U200, 3M ESPE), and specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 60 days. A universal testing machine was used to measure the fracture resistance (0.5 mm/min at an angle of 45° to the long axis of the tooth). Fractures were classified as repairable or catastrophic. One-way analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc and χ2 tests for independence and Bonferroni adjustments were applied (α=0.05).Results: The fracture resistance values (mean ± SD, in newtons) were 379.4 ± 119.8 (G1), 506.4 ± 138 (G2), 939.6 ± 146.5 (G3), and 449.6 ± 66.5 (G4). Only G3 exhibited a significant difference (p<0.05). The χ2 test showed an association between failure mode and post-and-core material [χ2(3) = 23.65; p<0.001]. After Bonferroni adjustment, only G3 presented a higher than expected incidence of catastrophic failures (p<0.001). In the remaining groups, most failures were repairable and related to debonding.Conclusions: Customized post-and-cores of PEEK and nano-ceramic composites exhibited good mechanical performance. Their fracture resistance was comparable to that observed for fiberglass customized posts, yet lower than that for cast metal posts. For PEEK post-and-cores, in particular, additional studies are needed to improve adhesiveness and reduce the risk of debonding.