Color characteristics of resin composites in different color modes and geometries

Color characteristics of the shades for different filler type resin composites were compared in the reflectance and transmittance modes, and specular component included (SCI) and specular component excluded (SCE) geometries for reflectance mode. Resin composites and shades used in this study were submicron filled Estelite Σ (Σ: Inc, A2, A3, B3, C2, OA2, OA3) and nanofilled FiltekTM Supreme XT (XT: Clear, A2E, A2B, A3B, C2B, A2D, A3D). Resin disks of 2 mm in thickness and final polish with 2,400-grit silicon carbide paper were kept in 100% humidity. One week after curing, color of the resin disks were measured with a spectrophotometer. Both for Σ and XT, reflectance of each of all shades measured with SCI were significantly higher than those with SCE. Compared to the values with SCI and SCE, the L* with SCI were significantly higher for all shades of Σ and XT, however, a* and b* were depended with brands and shades. Different filler type resin composites showed different color characteristics, reflectance, transmittance and L*a*b* distribution. In some shades, color difference between the measurement with SCI and SCE was visually perceptible level. It would be concluded that the color of resin composite measured with the SCI and SCE geometries differed. (J Oral Sci 51, 123-130, 2009)