European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry

The Effects of Colored Pigments on the Translucency of Experimental Dental Resin Composites

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Cover Date

March 2019

Print ISSN

0965-7452

Electronic ISSN

2396-8893

Vol

27

Issue

1

Abstract

European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2019) 27, 3–9

Keywords

ABSTRACT

Dental Material
Composite Resin
Translucency
Pigment
Color

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Objective: Colored pigments are incorporated into dental resin composites to produce
clinically acceptable shades for restorative materials but studies on their effects on
translucency are rare. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the addition
of different colored pigments on the translucency of experimental dental resin composites. Materials and Methods: 12 types of experimental dental resin composites containing different concentrations of red and yellow iron oxide pigments were formulated and
light-cured. Total and diffuse translucency as well as CIE L*a*b* values were measured
and the color differences were calculated. Results: There was a statistically significant
difference in the translucency values between the composites with no pigments and the
composites with increasing concentrations of the pigments (p<0.05). The translucency
decreased as the concentration of the pigments increased. However at pigment concentrations greater than 0.02%, the translucency of the composites reached a plateau and
ceased to be influenced by the addition of the pigments (p>0.05). All color differences
were in the range of 3.62–16.00 ΔE*ab unit. Conclusions: The pigments used in this
study can influence the translucency of the experimental resin composites and should
be considered as an important factor by clinicians to achieve optimal esthetic restorative outcome.

Authors
Dr. Gulelala Azhar *

(BDS, MFDS RCS(Ed), M.Med.Sci.)

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Dr. Karine Haas *
(BDS, M.Med.Sci.)

Dr. Duncan J Wood *
(B.Med.Sci, PhD)

Richard van Noort *

Dr. Keyvan Moharamzadeh *

(BSc, DDS, PhD, FHEA, FDSRCS)

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Address for Correspondence

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(BSc, DPhil, DSc, FAD, FRSA)

Dr. Keyvan Moharamzadeh

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The Effects of Colored
Pigments on the Translucency
of Experimental Dental
Resin Composites

INTRODUCTION

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Email: [email protected]

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* School of Clinical Dentistry, University of
Sheffield, Claremont Crescent, Sheffield, S10 2TA

Color and translucency of dental materials are two of the main important
parameters that can significantly affect the esthetic outcomes of toothcolored restorations.1-4 For ideal esthetic results, it is often extremely difficult to match the shade of the restorative material to the remaining tooth
structure and to the adjacent teeth. This is because of the inherent translucency of the natural enamel, which is an important optical property of
the natural teeth.5 The color and translucency of human teeth vary from
one tooth or area of the mouth to another and from patient to patient.6
Therefore, due to the increasing demand of esthetic restorations, dental
restorative materials should mimic not only the color, but also the translucency of the natural teeth as closely as possible.7

It has been shown that different factors can influence the color and
translucency of resin composites.3,8-12 Investigated parameters include
thickness, shade and background environment,3,13,14 resin matrix composition,15 depth of cure,16 filler content and particle size,17 opacifier type and
concentration18, and the initiator and filler coupling agent.19

Received: 27.08.2018
Accepted: 21.11.2018
doi: 10.1922/EJPRD_01855Azhar08

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