Influence of zirconia thickness and background color on color matching accuracy of monolithic zirconia restorations.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of monolithic zirconia brand, thickness, and substrate color on color matching accuracy when optically coupled to abutment substrates.

METHODS

A total of 180 samples of two brands of monolithic zirconia [Prettau Anterior (PA), Ceramill Zolid FX Multicolor (CZ)] were prepared in three different thicknesses (0.8 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2 mm) with a standardized 10 mm diameter. Color properties of the samples were assessed using spectrophotometry at baseline and after coupling to three substrate types: standard dentin, discolored dentin, and titanium. Color differences (ΔE) were calculated and statistically analyzed by 3-way ANOVA and pairwise comparison (α=0.05).

RESULTS

The brand and material thickness, at baseline and after coupling to different substrate colors, had significant effect on color variations (P < 0.001). CZ consistently exhibited higher color differences than PA across all conditions. Thinner specimens (0.8 mm) demonstrated greater sensitivity to substrate color, and increasing the thickness to 1.5 mm resulted in a reduction in color differences, particularly for CZ formulations. Thinner zirconia restorations (0.8 mm) require careful material selection and substrate matching to mitigate perceptible color shifts.

CONCLUSION

The accuracy of color matching of monolithic zirconia restorations is significantly influenced by material composition, thickness, and underlying substrate color. CZ demonstrated greater substrate transparency effects compared to PA, emphasizing the critical role of material selection in clinical outcomes.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Clinicians should carefully consider the potential change of the color properties of monolithic zirconia restorations, especially in thin sections and with dark tooth substrate, when color masking is needed.