Objectives: In prosthodontics, some treatments require the use of provisional restorations for a long period of time. If these restorations are in the anterior sector, the color should not change dramatically of they may require changing for new ones before the final restoration is placed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the color stability of four different crown and bridge provisional restoration materials, after they are submerged for several days in different liquids.

Methods: Twenty four, 10 mm diameter and 2 mm thick disks were made for each material: Jet Acrylic, Alike, Provitec and Unifast LC., following manufacturers instructions. Six specimens of each material were placed in water, Coca-Cola, coffee, and tea for 15 days. Liquids were changed daily. CIE L*a*b* was measured using a spectrophotometer (Macbeth 7000) before and after the storage in the liquids. DE* was calculated for each specimen and means for each group also were calculated. Data were analyzed using a repeated measurement ANOVA at a 0.05 significance level. Tukey-Kramer interval for comparison of means was 1.1 also calculated at 0.05 significance level.

Results: The more color stable acrylics in water, Coca Cola, coffee and tea were Provitec, jet, Jet and Unifast LC respectively. Water did not produced a significant change in color that could be appreciated by the human eye. The soft drink produced the highest color change among all drinks. Delta E* Alike Jet Acrylic Provitec Unifast LC Water 1,6 1,5 1,3 2,3 Coffee 3,9 2,1 3,1 2,6 Coca Cola 3,3 2,3 9,1 2,8 Tea 3,7 2,8 4,7 2,7

Conclusion: Color change in crown and bridge acrylics depends on the type of acrylic and the kind of liquid. Funded in part by GC America.

Back to the Dental Materials: VI - Polymer Materials-Mechanical Properties and Degradation Program
Back to the IADR/AADR/CADR 82nd General Session (March 10-13, 2004)

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