Color-matching according to the use of light-curing characterizing materials and composite resin thicknesses

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of light-curing characterizing material sand two thicknesses of composite dentin resin on masking differents dark substrates. 320 composite resin specimens were divided into 6 experimental groups (n=50), which were divided into 5 subgroups (n=10) according to the different characterizing material sand resin coverage thicknesses; and 2 control groups (n=10). The darkened bases were made in laboratory composite resin, in colors DA4, DB4 and DC4. On each resin, three different characterizing materials (white, ocher, opaque) were used and covered with DA2 composite with two different thicknesses. A spectrophotometer was used to assess the color parameters, following the CIEL*a*b* system standards. The values of L*, a* and b* were assessed, and the statistical analysis was performed with the ANOVA, Tukey and Student t tests. For the L* axis, higher values were found for white and opaque materials; for the variable a*, superior results were achieved with the ocher one. The b* axis presented a distinct interaction for each hue and thickness. It is concluded that the choice of dye to be used in an aesthetic restoration in darkened tooth is directly related to the initial determination of the color of the tooth to be restored.