Influence of water sorption on resin composite color and color variation amongst various composite brands with identical shade code: An in vitro evaluation

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of 1 week water storage on color stability of A2 enamel and dentine shade of 13 resin composites intended for anterior restorations and to evaluate the interchangeability of different composite brands of equal color shade. Methods: 6 samples per shade were prepared as 1 mm thick discs of 10 mm diameter. L*a*b* and contrast ratio (CR) were measured immediately after light curing and after 1 week storage in water at 37 degrees C, in the dark. Then all samples were compared against each other. Results: The greatest color change was found for Enamel A2 Artemis (Delta E 3.13) with white background whilst the smallest was Dentine A2 Filtek and Voco (Delta E 0.20) with black background. Significance: Most of resin composite brands showed statistically significant differences between initial and post immersion color values. Some of post ageing dentine and enamel CR values was statistically different amongst them. The color differences in-between all the A2 enamel and dentine composite shades were highly statistically different. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.