Optical properties of esthetic temporary cements and final restoration color.

BACKGROUND

Opaque cements can be esthetically unfavorable and alternative translucent materials have been developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the color interference of a new translucent cement compared with conventional materials, in association with interim restoration with different thickness and shades.

METHODS

Bis-acryl composite disks were prepared in 2 thicknesses (1.2 mm, 0.6 mm) and 3 shades (A3.5, A2, bleached) to simulate the restorations. Cementation over dentin disks was performed with 1 translucent cement (Provicol QM Aesthetic; VOCO), 2 conventional cements (Provicol; VOCO, Temp-Bond NE; Kerr Dental), and 1 transparent liquid (polyethylene glycol 400). The difference between the color of the specimens cemented with the transparent liquid and that of the specimens cemented with each cement was calculated (ΔEab). The data were analyzed using 3-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests (5%).

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed for all factors and some interactions (P < .05). For Provicol QM Aesthetic, the shade and thickness did not influence the ΔEab. For Provicol and Temp-Bond NE, the lighter and thinner the specimen, the higher the ΔEab. Only Provicol QM Aesthetic had smaller means than the perceptibility threshold. Temp-Bond NE and Provicol had higher values than the acceptability threshold for some combinations.

CONCLUSIONS

The highly translucent cement had less color interference than the conventional materials. The thickness and resin shade only affected the results for the opaque cements. The thinner specimens and the lighter shades had higher color interference.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The use of a more translucent cement can produce a smaller color interference on the esthetic outcome of interim restorations.