Opacity and color changes of tooth-colored restorative materials.

Internal opacity and color changes of several esthetic direct restorative materials were determined using an accelerated test proposed by Asmussen (1981). Five chemically cured composites, seven light-cured composites, and three resin-modified glass-ionomer cements were placed in acrylic rings. After curing, they were left at 37 degrees C for 1 week before baseline measurement, and then stored in 60 degrees C distilled water up to 4 weeks. Color change was determined by a color analyzer, and contrast ratio representing opacity was calculated. All chemically cured composites tested discolored to dark yellow or dark brown after 4 weeks. Opacity decreased for two macrofilled composites. Light-cured composites discolored slightly, but their opacity change was negligible. All resin-modified glass-ionomer cements tested showed an abrupt decrease of opacity at the initial stage, with accompanying darkening of the materials. Opacity decrease was found to be a factor of discoloration for some tooth-colored restorative materials, and might be caused by a refractive index change of the matrix phase of the materials.