Color stability of light-cured and post-cured composites.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the color stability of five composites after light-curing and recommended post-curing using reflection spectrophotometry.


METHODS
Samples of the composites were prepared as disks 10 mm in diameter and 1 mm thick. The pre-cured samples were prepared with a clear plastic sheet on the top and bottom of disk, pressed between two glass slabs to the thickness of the mold, and then removed from between the glass slabs. The color of the samples was measured with the clear plastic sheets in place. The color of the composites before curing served as the control.


RESULTS
Light-curing caused barely perceptible to perceptible color changes for all of the composites from the pre-cured shade. Clearfil and TrueVitality changed color significantly more than Charisma, Conquest C&B and Herculite XRV. Once the composites were light-cured, post-curing caused no further perceptible changes in shade.
Eldiwany
M
M
Department of General Dentistry, Section of Operative Dentistry, UT-Houston Health Science Center, Dental Branch, Texas 77030, USA.
Friedl
K H
KH
Powers
J M
JM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003116:Color / Q000592:standards; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D004355:Drug Stability; D008027:Light; D017797:Prosthesis Coloring; D019279:Resin Cements
C084111:Charisma composite resin; D003188:Composite Resins; C092421:Conquest composite resin; D019279:Resin Cements; C090922:True Vitality; C065770:Herculite XR