Effect of cigarette smoke and whiskey on the color stability of dental composites.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of cigarette smoke and whiskey on the color stability of resin composites. Methods: Disk-shaped specimens (8 mm x 1 mm) were prepared with five composites in two different shades (n=10). After light-curing, the specimens were stored in dark containers with artificial saliva at 37oC for 24 hours. Baseline color was measured by CIEL*a*b* using a colorimeter (Easy-Shade, VITA). Half of the specimens were subjected to a discoloration process in a cigarette smoking machine (SM) and the other half to an immersion in whiskey (WH) for 24 hours. Another color measurement was performed for discolored specimens. The samples subjected to smoking were immersed in whiskey (SM/WH) and those subjected to whiskey immersion were subjected to cigarette smoking (WH/SM) followed by another color measurement. Color changes (!E*) were calculated and submitted to repeated measures 4-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (P 3.3). Based on the results, the color stability of dental composites was affected by the discoloration process and was material and shade dependent. (Am J Dent 2010;23:4-8). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Resin composites are susceptible to discoloration by oral habits such as cigarette smoking and alcoholic beverage drinking. This in vitro study suggested that the association of both habits can exacerbate the color changes of composites, mainly when translucent shades are used. !: Dr. Evelise Machado de Souza, School of Dentistry, Post-graduate Program, Pontifical Catholic University of Parana, R. Imaculada Conceicao, 1155, Prado Velho Curitiba, PR, 80215-901, Brazil. E-!: evesouza@yahoo.com