Color alterations of a PMMA resin for fixed interim prostheses reinforced with silica nanoparticles

PURPOSE. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the color changes of an autopolymerizing PMMA resin used for interim fixed restorations, reinforced with $SiO_2$ nanoparticles. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Silica nanoparticles were blended with the PMMA resin powder through high-energy ball milling. Four shades of PMMA resin were used (A3, B3, C3, D3) and total color differences were calculated through the equations ${\Delta}E_{ab}=[({\Delta}L*)^2+({\Delta}a*)^2+({\Delta}b*)^2]^{1/2}$ and ${\Delta}E_{00}=[(\frac{{\Delta}L^{\prime}}{K_LS_L})^2+(\frac{{\Delta}C^{\prime}}{K_CS_C})^2+(\frac{{\Delta}H^{\prime}}{K_HS_H})^2+R_T(\frac{{\Delta}C^{\prime}}{K_CS_C})(\frac{{\Delta}H^{\prime}}{K_HS_H})]^{1/2}$. Statistically significant differences between ${\Delta}E_{ab}$ and the clinically acceptable values of 3.3 and 2.7 and those between ${\Delta}E_{00}$ and the clinically acceptable value of 1.8 were evaluated with one sample t-test (P<.05). Differences among the different shades were assessed through One-Way ANOVA and Bonferroni multiple comparison tests. RESULTS. Significantly lower values were detected for all groups concerning ${\Delta}E_{ab}$ compared to the intraorally clinical acceptable values of 3.3 and 2.7. Significantly lower mean values were detected for groups B3, C3, and D3, concerning ${\Delta}E_{00}$ compared to the intraorally clinical acceptant value of 1.8. Color pigments in red-brown (A3) and red-grey (D3) shades affect the total color change to a greater extent after the reinforcement with $SiO_2$ nanoparticles compared to the red-yellow (B3) shade. CONCLUSION. Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it can be suggested that reinforcing PMMA with $SiO_2$ nanoparticles at 0.25 wt% slightly affects the optical properties of the PMMA resin without being clinically perceivable.