Translucency of Value Resin Composites Used to Replace Enamel in Stratified Composite Restoration Techniques

BACKGROUND: The translucency of enamel shade is a crucial property that affects the color of a layered restoration. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the translucency of high-, medium-, and low-value resin composites (4 Seasons, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) used to replace enamel in stratified composite restoration techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The color specimens with 12 mm in diameter and various thicknesses (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 mm) were measured after polymerization on a reflection spectrophotometer over white and black backgrounds to calculate the translucency parameter (TP). The statistical analysis of TP was accomplished using two-way analysis of variance (p < 0.05). Significant differences were revealed by the Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference post hoc test. RESULTS: Translucency of the value composite resins was influenced by the value and thickness. Color of value resin composites was dependent on the background contrast at the evaluated thicknesses. CONCLUSIONS: High-value composite resins were more translucent than medium-value composites, which were more translucent than low-value composites. The translucency decreased as the thickness of the specimens increased. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results suggest that special attention should be paid to the thickness of the increment of value composite resins when reproducing translucency of natural tooth enamel.