Evaluation of Fluorescence of Dental Composites Using Contrast Ratios to Adjacent Tooth Structure: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Statement of the Problem: Fluorescence is an optical signal that is present in natural teeth and some dental restorative materials as a consequence of its molecules energetic decrease. Restorative materials need to match the fluorescence properties of surrounding tooth structure to achieve the best esthetics and appear undetectable. Purpose: The fluorescence of 10 commercial composites (shade A2 or equivalent) was tested against that of tooth structure using contrast differences. Materials and Methods: Thirty‐three standard preparations (3.0‐mm wide and 2.00‐mm depth) were done on mean maxillaries incisors and divided into 10 groups containing three test samples each. High‐definition images of the restored areas and adjacent tooth structure were obtained both under white light of the visible spectrum (control) and ultraviolet light (UV‐A=300/ 400 nm). The contrast between composites and tooth structure, expressed in absolute values, was analyzed through digital processing Matlab and Origin softwares and by one‐way analysis of variance and Tukey’s test (p≤ 0.05; statistical differences between groups*). Results: Based on mean values, the composites were ranked in four groups, according to least fluorescence contrast with tooth structure: (Esthet‐X [YE]=Esthet‐X [A2]=TPH Spectrum [A2]) < (TPH Spectrum [A2] ≤ Esthet × [A20]=Fill Magic [A2]) < (Charisma [A2]=Filtek Supreme [A2B]) < (Filtek Supreme [A2E] =Z250 [A2]=Z100 [A2]). Conclusion: There is a considerable variation of fluorescence between the composites and the natural tooth structure. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Ideal restorative materials should have fluorescence similar to that of natural teeth. Therefore, it is important to select a composite that possesses adequate fluorescence.