Color evaluation of white spot lesions treated with resin infiltration after water or grape juice storage

Aim: To evaluate the color stability of bovine enamel with artificial white spot lesions treated with resin infiltration (ICON) or remineralization with fluoride using two storage methods. Methods: Sixty incisors were submitted to artificial white spot lesion induced by demineralization-remineralization (DE-RE) cycling. Initial color was evaluated with CIE-Lab to measure ΔEab. Demineralized teeth were divided according to the treatment of the white spot lesion (n = 20): 1) Remineralization with 2% neutral fluoride gel for 4min (control); 2) ICON application following manufacturer’s recommendations; and 3) ICON with decreased drying time after the application of ethanol. After 24h, color was evaluated and samples were subdivided (n = 10) according to storage: 1) distilled water for 1 month; 2) grape juice for 10min daily. After storage, color was evaluated. L*, a* and b* data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and ∆Eab data by two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s HSD (α = 0.05). Results: L* was affected by juice storage, and decreased when ICON was applied with decreased drying time after the ethanol application. The same behavior occurred with a* (increase with reduced drying time), while b* was not affected. For ∆Eab significant differences were observed between groups (p = 0.0219) and storage methods (p = 0.0007). There was no interaction effect (p = 0.1118). Remineralization with fluoride presented the lowest color changes after storage in water. Conclusion: Treatment of artificial carious lesions with resin infiltration presented greater color changes than fluoride remineralization after storage in both solutions in vitro.