title: Colorimetric changes in composites resulting from visible-light-initiated polymerization.
abstract: We evaluated three shades of nine light-cured composites to determine the colorimetric changes which occur as a result of the photo-polymerization reaction. A photo-electric tristimulus colorimeter was used to measure the color of a 0.5-mm-thick sample of composite on two different backgrounds before and after the polymerization process had been initiated. The results showed that each of the photo-initiated composites tested produced a visually significant change in color as a result of the polymerization reaction, regardless of the shade of the backing. In general, the light-cured composites produced a characteristic chromatic shift toward the blue region of color space, which resulted in a perceived decrease in yellow chroma. Therefore, direct shade selection of a resin composite which is more yellow or more chromatic than the tooth which is being restored is recommended to compensate for this characteristic immediate color shift.
authors.affiliation: UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Seghi
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Gritz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D003116:Color; D003124:Colorimetry; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D008027:Light
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins