ABSTRACT
Objective:To examine the amount of change in color and color parameters of a composite
resin (Filtek P60) polymerized by five different polymerization methods.
Methods: A Teflon mold (6mm in diameter, 2mm in height) was used to prepare the composite
resin discs (n=10). G1: Polymerization with inlay oven; G2: Polymerization with HQTH
and autoclave; G3: Polymerization with LED and autoclave; G4: Polymerization with
HQTH; G5: Polymerization with LED. Colorimetric values of the specimens before and
after polymerization were measured using a spectrophotometer. The CIE L*a*b color
system was used for the determination of color difference. Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
was used to analyze the data for significant differences. Tukey’s HSD test and paired
two-tailed tests were used to perform multiple comparisons (α=.05).
Results: There were no significant differences in total color change (ΔE*ab) among
the polymerization groups (P>.05). However, the lowest color change (ΔE*ab) value
was 3.3 in LED and autoclave; the highest color change (ΔE*ab) value was 4.6 in HQTH.
For all groups, CIE L*, C*ab and a*values decreased after polymerization (P<.05).
The highest Δb* and ΔC*ab values were observed in specimens polymerized in an inlay
oven (P<.05).
Conclusion: Composite resin material showed color changes above the clinically accepted
value in all study groups (ΔE*ab≥3.3). All specimens became darker during investigation
(ΔL*< 0). Specimens polymerized with inlay oven presented the highest Δb* values which
means less yellow color in specimens. (Eur J Dent 2013;7:110-116)
Key words
Composite resin - color change - polymerization methods - inlay oven