Masking discolored substrates with resin composites: effect of layering strategies

This study aimed to evaluate the masking ability of different resin composite (RC) layering techniques over discolored substrates. Layering strategies were tested (n=10), using different RCs: flowable opaque, white dentin, A1 dentin, A1 body, and A1 enamel (Filtek Z350XT; 3M ESPE). Bilayer and trilayer RC combinations resulted in final thicknesses of 1 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2 mm. Substrates tested were: A1 (reference), A3, A4, B3, C2, and C4 (Filtek Z350XT Dentin; 3M ESPE). Color differences (∆E00) were measured for the RC layers over discolored substrates with the CIEDE2000 formula. The results were compared statistically (One-way ANOVA) and descriptively (acceptability=1.77 and perceptibility=0.81 thresholds). The layering strategy influenced the ∆E00 of RCs over all substrates (P<0.001). The 1 mm bilayer group combining 0.5 mm of dentin and 0.5 mm of enamel led to ∆E00 below AT for substrates A3 and B3; the 1.5 mm bilayer group combining A1 dentin (1 mm) and enamel (0.5 mm) provided ∆E00 below AT for substrates A3, A4, and C2 and ∆E00 below PT for B3; for substrate C4, the 2 mm trilayer group combining flowable opaque (0.2 mm), A1 dentin (1.3 mm) and enamel (0.5 mm) provided ∆E00 below PT, and the 1.5 mm trilayer groups (flowable opaque + 0.8 mm dentin or body + enamel) led to ∆E00 below AT. Resin Composites were effective in masking discolored substrates. The most adequate layering strategy depended on substrate shade.