Effects of dipping time in coloring liquids and surface finishing technique on the color of monolithic zirconia

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of liquid coloring in different dipping times and finishing procedures on color difference of precolored and liquid-colored monolithic zirconia ceramics. Materials and Methods: 240 zirconia specimens were divided according to shades of coloring liquid (A1, A2, and A3), dipping time (3, 5, and 7 minutes), and surface finishing procedures (glaze and mechanical polishing) (n=10). CIE L*, a*, and b* values of the specimens were measured and color differences (ΔE) were calculated. The data were analyzed with three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD test (α=.05). Results: Coloring with liquids, dipping time, and finishing procedures significantly affected the CIE L*, a*, and b* values (P