Effect of Accelerated Aging on the Color Stability of Dual-Cured Self-Adhesive Resin Cements

Purpose: The effect of accelerated aging on color stability of various dual-cured self-adhesive resin cements were evaluated in this study. Materials and Methods: Color stability was examined using three different brands of dual-cured self-adhesive resin cements: G-CEM LinkAce (GC America), MaxCem Elite (Kerr), and PermaCem 2.0 (DMG) with the equivalent color shade. Each resin cement was filled with Teflon mold which has 6 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness. Each specimen was light cured for 20 seconds using light emitting diode (LED) light curing unit. In order to evaluate the effect of accelerated aging on color stability, color parameters (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage, CIE $L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$) and color differences (${\Delta}E^*$) were measured at three times: immediately, after 24 hours, and after thermocycling. The $L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$ values were analyzed using Friedman test and ${\Delta}E^*$ values on the effect of 24 hours and accelerated aging were analyzed using t-test. These values were compared with the limit value of color difference (${\Delta}E^*=3.7$) for dental restoration. One-way ANOVA and Scheff's test (P<0.05) were performed to analyze each ${\Delta}E^*$ values between cements at each test period. Result: There was statistically significant difference in comparison of color specification ($L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$) values after accelerated aging except $L^*$ value of G-CEM LinkAce (P<0.05). After 24 hours, color difference (${\Delta}E^*$) values were ranged from 2.47 to 3.48 and $L^*$ values decreased and $b^*$ values increased in all types of cement and MaxCem Elite had high color stability (P<0.05). After thermocycling, color change's tendency of cement was varied and color difference (${\Delta}E^*$) values were ranged from 0.82 to 2.87 and G-CEM LinkAce had high color stability (P<0.05). Conclusion: Color stability of dual-cured self-adhesive resin cements after accelerated aging was evaluated and statistically significant color changes occurred within clinically acceptable range.