EVALUATION OF STAINING, COLOR STABILITY, BLENDING EFFECT AND DEPTH OF CURE OF A NEW UNIVERSAL RESIN COMPOSITE

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the surface staining, color stability, blending effect, and depth of cure of a new generation resin composite. Materials and methods: Surface staining was tested using a total of 45 samples for each of the three resin composites (Tetric Prime, Filtek Supreme Ultra, and Omnichroma). Baseline spectrophotometer measurements were made before immersing into the following beverages: distilled water, cola, and coffee for 14 days. Specimens were then prepared and polished. To determine color stability, 30 resin composite specimens were prepared and measured using a spectrophotometer immediately after thermal cycling (between 5°C and 55°C), and 14 days of water storage (at 60°C). A total of 45 specimens were used to evaluate the blending effect. The evaluation was done using denture teeth (VITA Classical A1-D4 shades, SR Orthoplane DCL, LML3 Ivoclar, Amherst, NY) restored with the tested resin composites. The color difference (ΔE) values were obtained by using a spectrophotometer. The depth of cure was evaluated by using a total of 15 Typodont teeth. Preparation was created in the center of each tooth (4 x 4 mm diameter), then filled with the resin composites in single increments and photopolymerized. The surface hardness was measured using a Vickers microhardness indenter. Results: There was significantly higher staining caused by coffee compared to other solutions for all groups. Omnichroma showed the least staining in coffee solution with a significant difference compared to the other groups (p < 0.0001). Regarding color stability, there was a significant difference between Omnichroma and other resin composite groups in both water and thermal groups; Omnichroma had the least color stability. The best blending effect values were found in Omnichroma compared to other groups. None of the tested resin composites demonstrated a 4 mm depth of cure. Filtek Supreme Ultra presented better microhardness values at 0- and 0.5-mm depth. While Tetric Prime and Omnichroma showed a significantly higher percentage of polymerization from 0.5 to 3.5 mm depth. Conclusions: Omnichroma had the least surface staining and the best blending effect values. However, it had the lowest color stability. Tetric Prime and Omnichroma presented a higher percentage of polymerization than Filtek Supreme Ultra. While Filtek Supreme Ultra presented with better microhardness.