Abstract
Composite resins are the material of choice for direct restorations, and their success depends mainly on their color stability, since discoloration causes color mismatch, and consequent patient dissatisfaction. A single- and a multi-shade resin were compared in order to evaluate their pigmentation after immersion in staining substances and to investigate the effect of the polymerization time on their color stability. Two-hundred-and-forty composite specimens were created, half made of a single-shade (Group ONE, n = 120) and half of a multi-shade composite (Group OXP, n = 120). Each group was further divided into ONE30 (n = 60) and OXP30 (n = 60), polymerized for 30″, and ONE80 (n = 60) and OXP80 (n = 60), polymerized for 80″. Randomly, the specimens were immersed in turmeric solution, soy sauce, energy drink, or artificial saliva. By means of a spectrophotometer, ΔE(00) and WI(d) were calculated at 24 h (T(0)), at 7 (T(1)), and 30 (T(2)) days. Single-shade composites showed statistically significant differences in color change from the turmeric solution, energy drink, and soy sauce than the multi-shade composites (p < 0.005), showing a higher discoloration potential. The polymerization time did not have significative effects on color stability. Single-shade composites showed more color change than multi-shade systems after immersion in staining substances, and the curing time did not influence color variations.