Evaluation of the color-matching ability of different universal composites with natural tooth structure in Class 3 Through & Through cavities using a visual guide and spectrophotometer

Abstract

The color match between the tooth and the resin composite, especially in the anterior teeth, has always been a concern of dentists and manufacturers due to its high technical sensitivity. Objectives This study aimed to determine the color-matching of Omnichroma single shade composite with natural tooth structure in Class 3 Through & Through restorations and to compare it with a universal multi-shade composite using visual and spectrophotometric evaluation. Materials and methods In this in vitro study 32 extracted anterior teeth were used. The primary color of the teeth was determined by visual evaluation using 16 colors A1-D4 from the classic VITA color shades. Then, the SpectroShade Micro spectrophotometer was used on the buccal surface to confirm the primary color selection and record the primary spectral reflectance values. Through and through class 3 preparations were created on the mesial and distal side of each tooth; then, the cavities were restored in 4 different groups by Omnichroma composite and its blocker and Tetric Evoceram composite. The color of the restorations and teeth was evaluated by a spectrophotometer and a trained dentist using a visual color guide. The color difference was calculated by the CIEDE2000 formula. To compare the color change in the studied groups, Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used (p <0.05). Results Tetric Evoceram with and without blocker showed a statistically significant difference in color match with natural tooth structure (P=0.02). The difference in color matching with natural teeth was statistically significant in the visual evaluation (P=0.005). Conclusion Not using a blocker with Tetric Evoceram composite in large Class 3 cavities leads to decreased color matching. However, in an Omnichroma composite, using a blocker will not make a difference in the final color-matching ability. In Addition, the Omnichroma composite showed better visual color matching in the group without blocker and the group with blocker than the Tetric Evoceram composite. Also when using blocker composite with either of the two mentioned composites, omnichroma showed superior color matching to the tooth structure.