Color Stability and Surface Roughness of Single-Shade Composite Resin after Finishing and Polishing

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the color stability and surface roughness of the single-shade composite resin after finishing and polishing for primary molars. A single-shade composite resin (OM, OMNICHROMA) and two multi-shade composite resins (FT, FiltekTM Z350XT; ES, ESTELITE® SIGMA QUICK) were included. The specimens were divided into three subgroups using different polishing methods: control, Sof-Lex XT, and Sof-Lex Diamond. For color stability tests, cavities were prepared on extracted primary second molars and restored with experimental composite resins. Each specimen was immersed in the coffee solution for 48 hours. The color difference of each specimen was calculated. For surface roughness tests, cylindrical specimens were crafted with experimental composite resins. Surface roughness was analyzed using an atomic force microscope and a scanning electron microscope. In the color stability tests, FT demonstrated a significantly lower ΔEab than ES among the control groups, but no significant differences were observed between the ΔEab values of OM and FT or OM and ES. Additionally, no significant differences were found between the Sof-Lex XT and Sof-Lex Diamond subgroups in the three composite groups. Moreover, no significant differences in the surface roughness were found between the three composite groups, regardless of the polishing methods. The single-shade composite resin demonstrated comparable color stability and surface roughness to that of the multi-shade composite resins regardless of the polishing methods used in restoring primary molars. The single-shade composite resin is expected to be applicable in clinical pediatric dentistry reducing chair time due to the easy shade matching procedures.