Colour and Opacity Stability of Veneer Cements: A Comparative Study

Objectives: To compare the colour and opacity stability of an experimental veneer cement to four market-leading products
Methods: Experimental Veneer Cement (Translucent and A3)/SDI Limited (EXP), Variolink^® Esthetic LC (Neutral and Warm)/Ivoclar Vivadent (VE), RelyX^TM Veneer Cement (Translucent and Light Yellow)/3M (RX), NX3 Nexus^® Cement (Clear and Yellow)/Kerr (NN), and Calibra^® Veneer (Translucent and Medium)/Dentsply (CV) were evaluated according to modified ISO4049:2019 method.

Discs, 15.0±0.1 mm in diameter and 1.0±0.1 mm thick, of the cements were prepared, cured by SDI Radii Plus and analysed using X-rite spectrophotometer 12VDC-700MA-SP64 and recorded as the reference colour and opacity. The discs were stored in both dry conditions and in water at 37°C. The samples were then tested at various time intervals to determine the level of colour and opacity change for each sample when compared to the initial reference value. The overall colour difference between the aged sample and the reference is measured as ΔE*. Samples with a ΔE* greater than 3.3units will have a noticeable colour change (clinically unacceptable).
Data was analysed using unpaired t-test.
Results: The results are presented in the below table.
Conclusions: Within this study, all tested materials show clinically acceptable colour change (DE*<3.3) and opacity change over the test period except for NN (Clear shade, Dry) (DE*=5.29). The experimental veneer cement performs as well or better than market-leading cements and is thus expected to maintain the esthetic results of the veneer restoration in clinical situations.