Color stability of composite resins.

The color stability of seven visible light-cured and three chemically-cured composite resins was investigated while being subjected to UV light irradiation and storage in an aqueous environment at elevated temperatures. Color shift was evaluated visually and by colorimetric measurements. Significant correlation was found between visual scoring and colorimetric readings. When subjected to UV light, a wide deviation in color change existed from brand to brand in photocured composite resins. The color shift of chemically-cured composite resins was less than but fell within the range of photocured composite resins. When stored in water at elevated temperatures, photocured resins exhibited better color stability than the chemically-cured composite resins.