Analysis of the color matching of universal resin composites in anterior restorations

Abstract Objective To evaluate color matching of universal composite restorations performed in anterior teeth using two evaluation methods. Materials and Methods Sixty class III preparations were made on denture central incisors with different shades (A1‐A3) and restored with multishade (Tetric Evoceram, Filtek Universal, and TPH Spectra Universal) and single‐shade (Omnichroma) universal composites (n = 5). For photographic analysis, a digital photograph of each specimen was taken under standardized set‐up. Color measurements were taken in the center of the restoration, and in the tooth surface 1.0 mm adjacent from the tooth/restoration margin. CIELab coordinates were recorded and color difference analysis (Δ E ) was made using the CIEDE‐2000 formula. For visual analysis, calibrated observers performed visual scoring of color matching and differences were graded as 0:excellent match; 1:very good match; 2:not so good match; 3:obvious mismatch; 4:huge mismatch. All data were statistically analyzed using a linear mixed model analysis with a confidence interval of 95%. Results For photographic analysis, Omnichroma showed the highest Δ E compared to the other composites for all shades ( P < .05), without difference among experimental groups regarding tooth shade. For visual analysis, Omnichroma showed the highest scores ( P < .05) for all teeth shades, without differences between the other groups. Furthermore, there were no differences between visual scores for different shades of a same resin composite group. Conclusions Multishade universal composites presented higher color matching than the single shade universal composite. There were no differences of color matching for different tooth shades for all composites. Clinical significance Universal composites with increased color matching may be helpful to simplify anterior restorations, minimizing clinical errors.