The effect of time between curing and tea immersion on composite resin discoloration.

One common cause for the replacement of a composite restoration is discoloration. This in vitro study evaluated the effect of tea solution on the discoloration of 3 types of composites at different timepoints after curing. For this study, 150 disc-shaped specimens of 3 types of composite resin-a nanohybrid (Filtek Z350), a microhybrid (Filtek Z250), and a microfilled material (Heliomolar)-were prepared. Specimens were randomly divided into 5 subgroups (n = 10) according to the type of composite and the time from curing to immersion in a tea solution (none [immersed immediately], 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, or 24 hours postcuring). The color for all specimens was measured before and after immersion in tea. Color change (ΔE*) for all specimens was measured, and a ΔE* value of less than 3.3 was considered clinically acceptable. Analysis of variance and a post hoc Tukey test were used to analyze the data (α = 0.05). Immediately after curing, the levels of composite discoloration were deemed clinically acceptable (ΔE* < 3.3). In all composites, the greatest color change was found immediately after curing (P < 0.05). With each subsequent timepoint, the color stability increased. When the groups were immersed in tea 6 hours postcuring, the mean ΔE* value of the Filtek Z350 composite resin specimens was significantly greater than that of Heliomolar specimens (P < 0.05). The mean ΔE* value for specimens immersed 12 hours postcuring was also greater in the Filtek Z250 composite group than in the Heliomolar group (P < 0.05). The ΔE* values of Filtek Z350 and Filtek Z250 composites were not significantly different from each other (P > 0.05), except with 12-hour postcure immersion. The results suggest that patients should avoid the intake of staining foods or beverages for at least 12 hours after placement of a composite resin restoration, although this restriction may be reduced to 1 hour for microfilled composite resins.

The effect of home bleaching carbamide peroxide concentration on the microhardness of dental composite resins.

Bleaching is a conservative treatment for discolored teeth, but the effect of this treatment on newer, silorane-based composite resins is unclear. This study evaluated the effect of at-home bleaching on the microhardness of methacrylate- and silorane-based composites. Forty blocks each of a methacrylate-based composite and a silorane-based composite were prepared. The 80 specimens were tested in 8 groups (n = 10): 2 composites, each exposed to 3 different carbamide peroxide concentrations (10%, 16%, or 22%) as well as distilled water (control). The surface of the test specimens was covered daily with the bleaching gel at room temperature for the time period recommended by the manufacturer for each carbamide peroxide concentration. A Vickers hardness testing machine was used with a 100-g load for 20 seconds to register specimen microhardness prior to and after 2 weeks of bleaching. The load was applied at 3 points, and the mean microhardness was calculated. Repeated-measures analysis of variance, paired t test, and Tukey test were used to analyze the data. All bleaching concentrations significantly decreased the microhardness of the methacrylate-based composite resin groups, while microhardness was significantly increased in the silorane-based composite resin groups. There was no evident difference in effects among the different gel concentrations (P > 0.05).

Comparison of microleakage and thickness of resin cement in ceramic inlays with various temperatures.

Background and aims. Microleakage is still one of the major problems of composite-based restorations.This study compared the microleakage and thickness of resin cement in ceramic inlays with various temperatures. Materials and methods. Class V cavities were prepared on the buccal and lingual aspects of thirty human molars with occlusal margins in enamel and gingival margins in dentin (3 mm wide, 5 mm long and 2 mm deep). Laboratory-made inlays (LMI) were used for buccal cavities, and CAD/CAM inlays (CMI) were used for lingual cavities. All the cavities were divided into six groups (n=10): 1) LMI at -5°C; 2) LMI at 50°C; 3) LMI at room temperature (25°C); 4) CMI at -5°C; 5) CMI at 50°C; 6) CMI at room temperature (25°C). Inlays were bonded to cavities in a pulp pressure- and temperature-simulating device. After thermocycling and dye penetration, the teeth were divided into two mesiodistal halves. Amount of dye penetration and film thickness were measured under a stereomicroscope and analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon and Spearman's correlation tests ( = 0.05). Results. There were no statistically significant differences in leakage between different inlay temperatures (P > 0.05). The mean cement thickness in laboratory-made inlays (gingival margin, 83.7 ± 11 and occlusal margin, 84.7 ± 19) was greater than that in CAD/CAM inlays (gingival margin, 69 ± 16 and occlusal margin, 84.7 ± 16). No correlation was found be-tween cement thickness and microleakage either in enamel or dentin for any of the ceramic systems. Conclusion. Differences in inlay temperature had no effect on microleakage. CAD/CAM inlays had lower cement thickness than laboratory-made inlays, but this was not related to their microleakage.