Tooth discoloration caused by endodontic treatment: A cross-sectional study

Introduction This cross-sectional study evaluated the influence of endodontic filling material, cervical limit of root filling, and tooth location on the color variation ( increment E-00) from 1 to 60 months of follow-up. Materials and Methods Color records were obtained from 70 participants who received 83 endodontic treatments. CIEL*a*b* color coordinates were measured on the homologous tooth, which was considered as baseline, and on endodontic treated teeth with a spectrophotometer. increment E-00 was calculated by the CIEDE2000 method at three conditions (condition 1: homologous tooth vs endodontically treated tooth after <= 1 month; condition 2: homologous tooth vs endodontically treated tooth after >1-12 months; condition 3: homologous tooth vs endodontically treated tooth after >12 months up to 5 years) for each variable. The zinc oxide and eugenol mineral trioxide aggregate or resin-based filling materials, dental cervix or >= 2 mm in the apical direction cervical limit of root filling and anterior or posterior tooth location were considered in the comparisons. Confidence intervals for the means (95% CI) were calculated, increment E-00 values and CIEL*a*b* individual color coordinates were compared for each pair of variables using the Student t test or Welch test (alpha = .05). Results Greater increment E-00 values were generally observed in the condition 3 for cervical limit ( increment E-00 = 10.7), use of zinc oxide and eugenol and mineral trioxide aggregate-based filling materials ( increment E-00 = 10.7), and anterior teeth ( increment E-00 = 12.4). Only in the condition 1, the increment E-00 values of the filling materials did not show statistical differences (P = .198). Conclusions Higher increment E-00 values were yielded from zinc oxide and eugenol and mineral trioxide aggregate-based filling materials, anterior teeth, and dental cervix cervical limit of root filling. Clinical significance Tooth discoloration yielded by endodontic materials and procedures is a challenge to clinical practice resulting in aesthetic problems and discomfort to both patient and professional, especially when it occurs in anterior teeth.