Effects of background color and thickness on the optical properties of CAD-CAM resin-matrix ceramics.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Information regarding the masking ability of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture (CAD-CAM) resin-matrix ceramic materials with different compositions is scarce. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of background color and thickness on the optical properties (color and translucency) of CAD-CAM resin-matrix ceramics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve rectangular specimens were fabricated at a different thickness (1, 1.5, and 2 mm) (n=12) from each of the resin-matrix ceramic materials: Shofu block (SB), Lava Ultimate (LU), CERASMART (CS), VITA ENAMIC (VE), Crystal Ultra (CU), and the VITABLOCS Mark II feldspathic ceramic (VB). The color of the specimens over amalgam, titanium, enamel, and dentin backgrounds was measured with a spectrophotometer, and the color differences (ΔE∗ab) were calculated by using the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) 76 formula. The difference in color of the specimen over the black and white backgrounds was used to calculate the translucency parameter (TP). ANOVA was used to statistically test whether material, background, and thicknesses influenced ΔE∗ab and TP values. Post hoc comparisons were performed to determine the significant difference among the groups (α=.05). RESULTS: The interaction with 2 between factors demonstrated that the material was a factor that significantly influenced ΔE∗ab (P<.001). The highest mean ±standard deviation of ΔE∗ab was recorded in the combination of VB material and 2-mm thickness (1.84 ±0.37), and the lowest with CS material with 1.5-mm thickness (0.47 ±0.24). The type of material and specimen thickness significantly influenced TP (P<.001). The highest and lowest mean ±standard deviation of TP were recorded for the 1-mm-thick CS (14.20 ±0.90) and 2-mm-thick SB (4.91 ±0.42) specimens, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CERASMART resin-matrix ceramic and VITABLOCS Mark II feldspathic ceramic exhibited high and low masking abilities over the investigated background substrates, respectively. However, irrespective of the thickness, all study materials exhibited acceptable masking abilities.

Effect of aging and mechanical brushing on surface roughness of 3D printed denture resins: A profilometer and scanning electron microscopy analysis.

BACKGROUND: The use of 3D printed material in the dental field is gaining tremendous attention. However, studies related to 3D printed denture resins are scarce and need consideration before their inclusion in routine clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the surface roughness (Ra) of 3D printed denture resins following aging and mechanical brushing. METHODS: Forty round samples (diameter, 10 mm and thickness, 3 mm) were fabricated from two 3D printed (DentaBASE and Denture 3D+) and one conventional polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) denture materials. The samples were thermo-cycled, subjected to mechanical brushing, and later immersed in either artificial saliva (AS), coffee, cola, or lemon juice (n= 10) to simulate one and two years of oral use. Surface roughness (Ra) was determined using a non-contact profilometer and scanning electron microscope was used for qualitative analysis. The data was analyzed using SPSS v.20 (α= 0.05). RESULTS: Denture 3D+ demonstrated highest mean Ra (1.15 ± 0.28 µm), followed by PMMA (0.99 ± 0.50 µm) and DentaBASE (0.81 ± 24). The difference in mean Ra between the materials was statistically non-significant (P= 0.08). Amongst the different beverages used, the highest Ra was observed for samples immersed in lemon juice (1.06 ± 0.40 µm) followed by cola (1.04 ± 0.46 µm) and coffee (0.98 ± 0.40 µm), respectively. The lowest Ra was observed for samples immersed in AS (0.85 ± 0.24 µm). CONCLUSION: The surface roughness of 3D printed denture resins was comparable with that of conventional PMMA resins. Denture 3D+ demonstrated the highest mean roughness, followed by PMMA and DentaBASE.