Color Appearance of Various Provisional Restorative Materials for Rehabilitation Upon Aging

Abstract Objectives Color stability of provisional restoration is crucial for full mouth reconstruction, which is probably influenced by aging. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of aging on the color appearance of different provisional materials. Materials and Methods Rectangular specimens (10 × 10 × 2 mm) were fabricated from computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) (Vita CAD-Temp [VC], TelioCAD [TC], artBloc [RC]), autopolymerized (ProtempIV [PA], Luxatemp [LA], UnifastTrad [UA]), and heat-polymerized polymer (Major C&B [MH]). Each was divided into aging (AG, 5,000 thermocycles of 5°/55°C) and non-aging group (n = 21/group). Color parameters were determined using a spectrophotometer through the CIELAB system. The L*, a*, and b* data were calculated for color appearance (∆E), translucency parameter (TP), contrast ratio (CR), and opalescence parameter (OP) for each. Statistical Analysis An analysis of variance and multiple comparisons were determined for a significant difference in color appearance alteration of materials upon aging (α = 0.05). Results Statistically significant differences of L*, a*, b*, ∆E, TP, CR, and OP due to the effect of types of material (p < 0.05), aging effect (p < 0.05), and their interactions (p < 0.05) were indicated. Aging affects the color appearance, lightness, chromaticity, translucency, contrast, and opalescence of various types of provisional materials. Color appearance alteration of provisional materials was significantly indicated upon aging (p < 0.05) but within the perceivable limit of clinical acceptance (∆E diff < 3.0), except for PA and MH. Color stability of CAD-CAM-based poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) and autopolymerized PMMA upon aging were better than bis-acryl resin and heat-polymerized PMMA. The TP, CR, and OP alterations of tested materials upon aging were within the perceivable limit. Conclusion Color appearance of provisional restorative materials was influenced by aging. The CAD-CAM-based PMMA and autopolymerized PMMA materials showed better color stability than bis-acryl provisional resin and heat-polymerized PMMA upon aging. Therefore, they were suggested as provisional materials for oral rehabilitation.